Chennai: Polling began for 38 of the 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu at 7 am on Thursday. The Election Commission had rescinded polls in the Vellore constituency. The action was the result of a large amount of cash that was allegedly seized from DMK candidate Kathir Anand’s office a couple of days ago. An amount of Rs 11.53 crore was also seized from Anand's father Durai Murugan's cement warehouse in Vellore.

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasmy and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram were among early voters.

This year almost six crore voters will cast their votes in Tamil Nadu when the state votes for 38 parliamentary constituencies and by-polls to 18 Assembly constituencies on Thursday.

It is also believed that his election may be a fight between the AIADMK-led alliance which includes the BJP, PMK and DMDK among others, and the Secular Democratic Front (SDF)-led DMK, along with the Congress, VCK, MDMK, and the Left parties.

The Dhinakaran-led AMMK, Naam Thamilar Katchi, and actor-turned-politician Kamal Hassan’s MNM are also in the fray.

Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth cast his vote at the polling station in Stella Maris College, in Chennai Central constituency. Popular Tamil actor, Vijay was spotted standing in a queue at a polling booth in Chennai to cast his ballot. Actors Suriya and Jyothika too arrived at a polling booth to cast their votes.

Tamil actor Ajith and his wife Shalini too exercised their franchise in Chennai. Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan and his daughter Shruti Haasan also cast their votes at polling station 27 at Alwarpet Corporation School in Chennai.