MADURAI
Opposition parties in Madurai have begun to report increasing complaints of alleged distribution of cash for votes by the ruling AIADMK with only five days to go for the election.
At least three complaints were reported since Thursday night by the CPI (M) and the DMK. All three related to alleged hoarding of cash meant for distribution in houses.
R. Karumalaiyan, State committee member, CPI (M), said that the first instance was reported to election officials on Thursday night after receiving a tip-off that cash was hoarded at a house in Paravai. “The election official went to the spot after we reported the incident to the Election Control Room and to General Observer. However, he did not search the house,” he said.
He said that a similar incident happened in Indira Nagar in ward 69 of Madurai Corporation on Friday. “We alerted the officials and a flying squad reached the spot. Our party members were also there. However, the officials were hesitant to enter the house,” he said.
Another incident was reported in Bibikulam on Friday morning, where members of the CPI (M) and the DMK surrounded a house, in which cash was reportedly kept. Before election officials and police personnel reached the spot, those present in the house allegedly escaped, Muthu Amuthanathan, an advocate owing allegiance to the CPI (M), who was present at the spot, said.
Mr. Karumalaiyan said that officials must be proactive in curbing the distribution of cash, which he alleged was likely to increase in the last three days before election. Sources in the AIADMK, however, denied allegations of any attempt to woo the voters with cash.