Chennai, May 13 (IANS) After being in a neck and neck race at the start of the vote count Friday, the AIADMK forged ahead of the ruling DMK in the battle for power in Tamil Nadu.

 
 The AIADMK and its allies were ahead of their rivals in 69 of the 234 seats as millions of votes polled in the April 13 election were counted. The DMK and its allies were winning only in 27 seats.
 
 Most DMK ministers appeared to be losing, early trends showed.