Chennai, Jan 12 : The Dravida Munettra Kazhagam (DMK) won the Thirumangalam Assembly by-election by a huge margin of 39,266 votes on Monday.

DMK candidate Latha Athiyaman defeated her All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) rival M Muthuramalingam. Athiyaman polled 79,422 votes over Muthuramalingam''s 40,156 votes.

The Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) came third with 13,136 votes, followed by the Akila India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK) with a mere 831 votes.

Elections for the seat, which fell vacant after the death of MDMK MLA Veera Illavarasan last month, were held on January 9 this year and counting was taken up today.

MDMK Chief Vaiko asked his ally the AIADMK to contest the seat.

Twenty-six candidates were in the fray for the by-elections. (ANI)