MADURAI: 'Had M K Alagiri fled the city?' was the question on everyone's mind as he refused to meet the media after the first round of counting.
With his bastion down south crumbling and a complete rout of his party in Madurai, it was said that the DMK South Zone organising secretary left the city.
After counting commenced at 8 am, the DMK men were upset over trailing in all 10 constituencies in Madurai.
According to sources, Alagiri and his family drove, perhaps, to Chennai or the Madurai's outskirts - where the minister has a farm.
Alagiri had left the city in a similar haste 10 years ago after AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa won the polls.
The Union Minister, who had said that the 2011 Assembly polls would spell AIADMK's end, was stunned on Friday at seeing his stronghold loosening.
Of the 10 constituencies in Madurai, four saw a direct fight between the DMK and the AIADMK. In Madurai East, Tamilarasan (AIADMK) was pitted against P Moorthy (DMK); in Madurai West, Sellur K Raju (AIADMK) against DMK urban district secretary K Thalabathi (DMK); in Thirumangalam, Muthuramalingam (AIADMK) against M Manimaran (DMK) and in Melur, it was R Samy (AIADMK) versus R Rani (DMK).
Alagiri had said that all 58 constituencies under his ambit would go to the DMK. On Friday, a canopy was set up in front of Alagiri's residence in Sathya Sai Nagar where DMK functionaries eagerly awaited the results.
As soon as the first round of results was relayed to Alagiri, he left the camp and entered his house.
Though the waiting media personnel pressed a reaction, Alagiri was not ready to face them.
Later, actor Vadivelu came to Alagiri's residence. While leaving, he refused to make any comment.
Meanwhile, windshields of four buses were damaged in Tirumangalam, near here, as some youth pelted stones after the declaration of election results on Friday. Two persons were arrested.
Policemen were deployed in the area in strength as the results poured out.
In the afternoon, some youth who came on motorbikes stoned buses in front of the police station and bus stand.