Chennai: Though several political parties have alleged large-scale distribution of cash for votes across Tamil Nadu, none appear to have an inkling on the amount distributed to the voters, save the Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi. If the estimates of the KMDK is to be believed, the political parties have given away over Rs 6,000 crore to the voters across Tamil Nadu.
This is no small amount in a state that is striving hard to obtain investment for industrial development and the agriculturalists are struggling to repay farm loans.
The cash for vote culture is being perceived as a “social evil” by national parties like the BJP which has sought the election commission to take stringent action on the candidates involved in the distribution of money.
Though the election commission has come out with figures on the huge sums seized throughout Tamil Nadu during the run up to the Assembly poll and also ordered re-polling in Aravakurichi and Thanjavur constituencies, it is not yet clear how much has been distributed to the voters and by whom.
“The distribution of cash for votes is rampant throughout in all Assembly constituencies in the state but the election commission has postponed the polls only in Aravakurichi and Thanjavur. Is this the only solution? Deferring the election would only further facilitate the distribution of money,” Mr Eswaran, general secretary of KMDK says.
He claims that the re-polling, if held under the present circumstances, would only show the way for the new government that assumes power. “All the ministers will comfortably win future elections. “Throughout Tamil Nadu voters have been paid over Rs 6,000 crores as bribe money in the run up to Assembly election. The EC should disqualify all the candidates who had bribed the voters,” he urged.
