In dramatic developments hours before Tamil Nadu goes to polls, the ruling AIADMK on Monday demanded that the Election Commission cancel polling in five constituencies.
A group of AIADMK members, led by Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar, filed separate petitions for the constituencies of Kolathur (from where DMK chief M.K. Stalin is contesting), Chepauk-Triplicane (from where Stalin's son, Udhayanidhi, is contesting), Trichy West (from where DMK principal secretary K.N. Nehru is contesting), Katpadi (from where DMK general secretary K. Anbazhagan is contesting) and Tiruvannamalai (from where DMK leader E.V. Velu is contesting).
The AIADMK demanded the Election Commission countermand polling in all these constituencies as the candidates were allegedly distributing money illegally to voters. The AIADMK has also sought that the five candidates be disqualified by the Election Commission.
The New Indian Express quoted Jayakumar as telling reporters, "Durga Stalin, wife of M.K. Stalin, has been distributing Rs 10,000 each per women's self-help group in Kolathur." The AIADMK alleged Rs 5,0000 was being given to each voter via Google Pay.
The New Indian Express reported the AIADMK complaint for Chepauk-Triplicane constituency claimed, "The affiliates and the associates of the candidate (Udhayanidhi Stalin) have been distributing amounts ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 to voters since April 1 with the active aid of local election machinery. Also, Rs 5,000 is being paid to the voters through G-Pay. The online transaction should be monitored and stringent action should be taken against Udhayanidhi Stalin besides cancelling his candidature."
The AIADMK complaint for Tiruvannamalai constituency claimed Income Tax Department raids on E.V. Velu had recovered "around Rs 25 crore". The AIADMK alleged the purpose of the money was for distribution to voters. The AIADMK alleged Velu had distributed cash to voters in the 2016 election also. The AIADMK claimed Velu was using his associates to distribute Rs 5,000 per voter.
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The AIADMK has also demanded a gag order on news channel Sun News. Sun News is owned by the Maran brothers, who are related to the first family of the DMK. The DMK alleged Sun News was telecasting "banned" clips to create enmity between groups of people.
The DMK has hit back at the allegations "The AIADMK is scared of a landslide victory by the DMK. That's why they have targeted our star leaders," party spokesperson Dr Kanimozhi Somu told NDTV.
