Mixed reactions from voters of RK Nagar constituency
Political parties periodically approach voters and induce them.
Chennai: The ongoing raids by the poll officials in R K Nagar have brought fresh debates among voters residing in the high-profile constituency.
While most of them, welcome the search operations conducted by flying squads there are also strong views of the public informing that the election commission is inefficient as it failed to arrest the free flow of cash for votes in the poll-bound constituency.
"Due to RK Nagar bypoll, traders are affected to a large extent in north Chennai, but cash flow had not been affected. Politicians are having a free run, but traders are asked unnecessary questions", said Vikrama Raja, president, Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaippu.
The poll officials should understand that bypoll is happening only in one constituency and if they are failing to arrest the distribution of cash for votes, they should resign, he added.
Political parties periodically approach voters and induce them. The raids are anyway lacking pace as still there are news reports and exposes showing rampant distribution of cash and gifts, said K. Dhinakar, a defence personnel residing in Washermenpet. Only voters and not the election commission can assure free and fair polls, he said. There may be many raids, but if the public and politicians form a nexus to avoid cash for votes, what can be done, he wondered.
"Public knows what to do. I guess poll officials are going little overboard by conducting late night visits in neighbourhoods disrupting the sleep", said Ms S. Sasikala, a homemaker in Washermenpet.
"Raids do help in preventing cash for votes, but disqualification of candidates should be tried to make the polls free and fair", said A. Prabhakar, a lawyer practising in George Town court.