Chennai: In a first in Tamil Nadu’s electoral history, the Election Commission (EC) on Saturday decided to rescind the notification for conducting elections on June 13 and conduct polls afresh “in due course of time” for Thanjavur and Aravakuruchi Assembly constituencies, the Commission Director Dhirendra Ohja said.
The EC official’s statement has come as a rude shock to Tamil Nadu political parties and also to Governor K. Rosaiah who on Thursday sent an official communiqué to EC recommending holding of elections to the two seats preferably before June 1.
The Election Commission, based on reports of large scale distribution of money and gifts to electors by candidates and political parties in the two constituencies, has decided to rescind the notification and conduct elections afresh in due course of time, the statement said.
The election body in its detailed order dated May 14 had also elaborated that,“ On April 22, the Income Tax Department conducted a search in the residence of one Ambunathan, son of Periyasami based in Aravakurichi Assembly constituency.
During the search, an amount of '4.77 crores was seized by the authorities along with some other incriminating documents, which revealed a number of notings showing proximity to some prominent Tamil Nadu ministers.
