Counting of votes for the RK Nagar bypoll, the result of which can have a heading on political equations in Tamil Nadu began in Chennai on Sunday.The seat was portrayed by late chief minister J Jayalalithaa.The counting started by 8 am at Queen Mary’s College and the process is expected to be completed in 19 rounds.As many as 200 officials drawn from both Central and State government services have been deputed for the exercise.

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10 am: TTV Dinakaran transverse the 10,000 votes mark while AIADMK stands at roughly 4521 votes. DMK is at a distant third with 2383 votes and the BJP is at a poor fifth, behind VCK.

9:45 am: Supporters of TTV Dinakaran celebrating outside the counting center as early official trends gave him a lead in the race for RK Nagar seat

9:30 am: Official Election Commission trend indicates independent candidate TTV Dinakaran leading with 5339 votes, followed by AIADMK’s E Madhusudhanan with 2738 votes after first round of counting.

9:15 am: Tamil Nadu CM EK Palanisamy, deputy CM O Panneerselvam among those paying tributes to MG Ramachandran on his 30 the death anniversary.

9 am: Meantime, AIADMK leaders gather at Marina Beach at the memorial of party founder MG Ramachandran to mark his 30th death anniversary.

8:30 am: Police hold insignia around the centre as Election Commission officials count the votes.

8 am: Counting begins at Queen Mary’s College.