Union minister of state for heavy industries and public enterprises Pon Radhakrishnan for cancelling civic byelection

The minister who arrived here on Sunday to garner votes for the saffron party’s mayoral candidate Nandakumar, told reporters here that the SEC should stop the elections, considering the usage of money and muscle power. His party had already complained to the EC on money distribution, he said. He claimed that police and certain officials supported the ruling party and refrained from taking any action.

If the election authorities did not cancel the poll, then all political parties should support the BJP candidates in the elections and uphold democracy. “It is necessary to make the BJP candidates emerge victorious in the election to teach a lesson to money and muscle power,” he said.

On the BJP mayoral candidate for Tirunelveli, Vellaiammal, who withdrew from the contest and joined the ruling AIADMK, Mr Radhakrishnan said none knew the reason for this. The party was probing it.

“The Katchatheevu and Indian fishermen attacks are different issues,” he shot back to a query on the attacks on fishermen by Lankan Navy. The Centre was working out modalities to ensure a permanent solution. The incidents of attack and seizure of boats have considerably declined and the release of those taken into custody also expedited, after the BJP stormed to power, he added.