EC refuses nod for Seeman campaign

Erode: Election authorities have refused to give permission for Naam Tamilar Katchi chief coordinator Seeman to campaign on February 24 and 25 in the Erode East byelection.
Returning officer of Erode East said NTK’s request seeking permission for Seeman to campaign did not specify the place and time he wanted to address the public.
“He had sought a blanket permission to campaign on these two days. We cannot grant such permission when the chief minister and former chief minister are set to visit Erode,’’ returning officer K Sivakumar told TOI.
“However, we have granted permission for campaigning at one place, Kollampalayam, since he had specified the place and time,” he said.
“If he submits a request specifying place and time, we will consider granting permission,” he said.
The action, coming in the backdrop of Seeman upping his ante against the state government, has sparked criticism that he is being stifled.
Speaking at the public meeting held later in the day at Kollampalayam, Seeman sharpened his attack on the DMK government.
Meanwhile, NTK has responded to the notice issued to its candidate Menaka Navaneethan seeking an explanation on Seeman’s remarks on arunthathiyars.
In his response, Seeman said that he never denigrated arunthathiyars but only stated facts. tnn