Nearly 70 million people will be eligible to vote today in assembly elections in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry where ruling parties are facing a stiff challenge from a determined opposition. The most politically significant election will be in Tamil Nadu, where the main battle is between two Dravidian giants - the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK.

Around 4.59 crore voters can pick 234 legislators from 2,748 candidates. There will be 54,016 polling booths spread all across the sprawling state. Both in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, rival parties have promised voters a litany of freebies - if they win.

Published Date : Wednesday, 13/4/2011 2:43 PM IST