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Curb cash handouts or cancel bypoll: BJP

The party had already submitted memorandum to the Election Commission.

Chennai: Alleging that large-scale and systematic distribution of cash for votes in the R.K. Nagar Assembly constituency has become rampant, the state unit of the BJP in yet another complaint to the Election Commission on Wednesday has demanded stringent action against those involved in the distribution or to cancel the bypoll.

Accusing the AIADMK Amma faction and also the opposition DMK of contravening the model code of conduct, BJP state president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan in her petition to CEO on Wednesday said it was found some of the supporters of the parties gave slips with phone number to be offered a “bribe” for agreeing to vote.

“The AIADMK Amma faction, in particular, is taking advantage of the poverty stricken people in the constituency and is luring them. This should be stopped, if not the byelection should be cancelled,” Dr Tamilisai who was accompanied by the party candidate Gangai Amaran, told reporters.

The party had already submitted memorandum to the Election Commission and the police on five occasions since March 27 urging for appropriate action to curb money distribution in the constituency, she said adding electoral malpractices are happening in R. K. Nagar despite the presence of many election observers and squads.

“Voters are being bribed at their residences and even in buses. We have filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer. Not just those from the AIADMK, but DMK members too are involved in distributing money to people,” she added.
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan said incidents of giving cash for votes have not declined inspite of the presence of flying squads and election observers.

“There is an urgent need to take appropriate action and stop such activities,” he told reporters at Tondiarpet here.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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