Southern States - Tamil Nadu

DMK planning violence in Saidapet: CM

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI May 30. While elaborate security arrangements have been made in all the three Assembly constituencies for tomorrow's byelections, the Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary, Jayalalithaa, today alleged that the DMK was planning to unleash violence in Saidapet here fearing defeat.

In a statement, she said DMK men were instructed to indulge in violence after ensuring that their party sympathisers cast their votes early. This, she said, was to prevent the smooth conduct of polling.

Specifically, the DMK men were instructed to draw AIADMK volunteers and leaders into quarrels and instigate violence. The game plan was to create fear in the minds of voters, and request the Election Commission to order repolling or postponement of the election.

Ms. Jayalalithaa claimed there was an attempt to telecast incidents of violence on a pro-DMK channel, and give the impression that largescale violence had taken place in Saidapet.

The intention was to scare away the voters, especially women. The DMK planned to pressure the EC thereafter.

The DMK wanted to blame the State Government and her for not maintaining law and order in Saidapet, she added.

Ms. Jayalalithaa appealed to AIADMK functionaries and workers not to fall into the DMK trap and asked them to remain calm. They should ensure the smooth conduct of the election and the victory of the AIADMK candidate.

Ms. Jayalalithaa said the people in the three constituencies wanted to vote for the AIADMK to allow continuation of development schemes. Mr. Karunanidhi could not tolerate this situation and was planning to unleash violence, she added.

She assured voters that the Government would take all necessary steps to allow the voters to cast their votes.

DMK plea

The DMK candidate in Saidapet, M. Subramanian, has written to the EC, urging it to videograph sensitive booths throughout the polling period. Bogus identity cards, prepared on a largescale by AIADMK men, could be used, he said in his letter which listed 25 ``hypersensitive'' polling stations.

CPI charge against AIADMK

Meanwhile, the CPI urged the EC to take action against the AIADMK for violation of electoral guidelines in Acharapakkam.

The State secretary, R. Nallakannu, said Ministers had distributed nosestuds and clothes to voters. When CPI workers protested, the AIADMK volunteers picked up a quarrel with them, he said.

The AIADMK Ministers had also intimidated voters in the constituency, he added and called for EC intervention.

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