CHENNAI: Thursday’s bypoll in city’s RK Nagar Assembly constituency is far from being a democratic exercise as the candidates from the Dravidian parties vied with each other not only in “buying voters but also fixing a price for the MLA’s seat” the BJP has alleged.
As the saffron party voted amidst plaints of rampant bribing of voters in the constituency, the visibly crestfallen BJP candidate Karu Nagarajan has claimed that “TTV. Dhinakaran’ (contesting as an independent) men gave Rs 20 to each voter to be bartered for Rs 6,000. Displaying a 20-rupee note, which he managed to secure, Mr. Nagarajan said “this is just like a hawala. The TTV supporters have distributed Rs 20 to each voter and the latter would be given Rs 6,000 once they reveal the last digit of the currency’s serial number.”
“This is the latest information we have received. It has begun last night. It is well known that the ruling AIADMK had already given money to voters and opposition DMK too has shown its generosity. Do you call this election? Can such an elected representative be called the real MLA when people don’t vote according to their conscience? All the votes are bought and the candidate who purchases the seat is going to be legislator,” he said after casting his vote.
He has decided to take this to the notice of the Election Commission. “Even the police know about the distribution and people are happy to receive money. Some even expect another by-election so that money rains again. These Dravidian parties have corrupted people and have made them (voters) forget their democratic rights,” Mr Nagarajan added.
This bypoll, he asserted, cannot be called democratic exercise as votes were bought and the candidates fixed a price for the MLA seat. “Should they cheat and win the election,” he asked.
