Tamil Nadu - Madurai

EC was cheated: BJP

Staff Reporter

By DMK and Congress in Madurai West Assembly bypoll

MADURAI: The Bharatiya Janata Party has alleged that the Election Commission has been “cheated” by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Congress combine in the Madurai West Assembly byelection.

Addressing a press meet here on Friday after the result was announced in favour of the Congress candidate, former Union Minister and BJP leader in-charge of the bypoll Pon. Radhakrishnan said that the ruling combine had used “novel” methods to poll bogus votes.

“I would not say the Election Commission did not act; rather it was cheated,” he said.

People carrying fake identity cards were allowed to cast their votes, the indelible ink was not properly applied on the voters’ finger tip and in some places the Congress booth agents were given a free hand.

The voters were bribed heavily and money was distributed even on the day of polling, he claimed and suggested that a finger print recognition system should be introduced for casting votes.

On his party’s debacle in the byelection, he said that it did not possess the money and muscle power.

He thanked those who had voted in favour his party candidate braving all threats and enticement through currency notes.

Mr. Radhakrishnan hoped that the party would emerge stronger in future.

Referring to the recent arrest of three suspected Tamil extremists in Periakulam, he said that law and order had deteriorated in the State.

“I wonder how these extremists could have camped and trained hundreds of youth in the State without the knowledge of the police and its intelligence sleuths.

The State Government should expose the political party leader behind these extremist movements, or otherwise it would send a wrong message to the people,” he said.

He stressed that his party would not permit the demolition of Ramar bridge as part of the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project.

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