The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), led by MK Stalin, is set to emerge as the winner in the urban local body elections in Tamil Nadu. The elections were held after over a decade.

Eligible voters exercised their franchise in 21 corporations, 138 municipalities, 490 town panchayats and 649 local urban bodies. A total of 57,778 candidates were in the fray for 12,838 posts.

Taking to Twitter, chief minister Stalin said the DMK's performance in the local body polls vindicated the Dravidian model of good governance of his administration.

"As the DMK-led UPA is winning with a huge margin, I thank the people. This is a certificate given to the last nine months of our governance. This is a reorganisation for the Dravidian model," Stalin said.

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) came second, followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The AIADMK and the BJP were allies in the 2021 assembly elections. The parties contested the local polls separately.

Here are some of the important takeaways:

> According to the latest updates, the DMK and its allies will win in all the corporations that went to polls. Of the total 12,838 wards, the DMK has, so far, secured victory in more than 6,500 wards.

> Of the total 200 wards in the Greater Chennai Corporation, the DMK has won in 133, followed by the AIADMK in 15. The BJP could win one ward.

> The ruling party also had a stellar performance in Coimbatore, Thoothukudi and Thondamuthur.

> The DMK has won a majority of the seats in the western part of the state, where the AIADMK had emerged winner in the election held last year.

> This time's winners in the urban local body polls include a mother-son duo from the Sozhavandhan Town Panchayat (ward 13 and 8), a couple from the Alanganallur Town Panchayat (ward 4 and 5) and a transwoman from the Vellore Municipal Corporation (ward 38).

> The BJP said it has emerged as the third party in Tamil Nadu. “The BJP got a great victory. It has entered many places where there was no presence earlier,” state BJP chief K Annamalai said. He had earlier spoken about seeking a repolling in a number of wards and moving the high court alleging misuse of power by the DMK.

> The Congress and Left parties have managed to bag very few seats.

(With inputs from agencies)