Election Commission should stop money distribution, says DMK

Chennai: The Opposition DMK has alleged that state ministers were camping in Thoothukudi and distributing money to voters of Ottapidaram Assembly constituency facing bypoll on Sunday by ‘sabotaging’ power supply. The party sought the Election Commission’s intervention to curb the cash distribution.

 “At least seven ministers are camping in their party office in Thoothukudi Assembly constituency. Technically they are outside the Ottapidaram constituency, as only a road divides the two constituencies. They distribute money to the voters in pitch darkness after the power supply is snapped. And electricity board vehicles are used to ferry cash,” DMK organising secretary and party MP R. S. Bharathi said. Speaking to reporters here on Saturday he said his party furnished video clips of ‘money distribution’ to Ottapidaram voters, to Chief Electoral Officer (Satyabrata Sahoo) and sought appropriate action.

 “As we were proceeding to the EC office we received information that the AIADMK members were distributing cash to voters of Sulur and Thirupparankundram constituencies as well. The situation is the same in Aravakurichi too,” he claimed. As major opposition party, the DMK had asked the EC to take action and it was up to the Election Commission to act, he added.