Date:03/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/03/stories/2009010359770500.htm

New Delhi

AIADMK front complains to Gopalaswami

J. Venkatesan

About registration of false cases during campaigning

New Delhi: Leaders of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, CPI, CPI (M) and MDMK on Friday met Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami and complained about registration of false cases against AIADMK functionaries, including former Chief Minister O. Paneerselvam, during campaigning for the Thirumangalam by-election.

In a memorandum submitted to the CEC, five Members of Parliament and one former MP led by V. Maitreyan and K. Malaisamy (AIADMK), D. Raja (CPI), C. Krishnan and A. Ravichandran (MDMK) and Nurul Huda of CPI (M), (former MP) urged the Commission to immediately deploy Central paramilitary forces to ensure a free and fair poll.

Mr. Raja told The Hindu that the CEC had informed the delegation that eight battalions of CPMF had already left for Thirumangalam and would be reaching the constituency by tomorrow. He said the delegation impressed upon the CEC not to postpone the elections at any cost.

The memorandum alleged that the DMK government had been registering false cases at the instance of Chief Minister’s son M.K. Azhagiri and the DMK workers were indulging in large-scale violence. Cases were foisted on Mr. Paneerselvam, P.H. Pandian, former Speaker, and several former State Ministers to create a psychological fear in the minds of people.

It said AIADMK Melur MLA R. Samy and 52 others were brutally attacked by police and the election process had been marred by violence. It wanted the Commission to take appropriate action against the police who had registered false cases.

The leaders also urged the Commission to launch a special drive to compile a list of persons and other anti-social elements who were likely to indulge in electoral offences, including booth capturing, intimidation and bribing of voters.

The CEC told The Hindu that the Commission was assessing the situation and Deputy Election Commissioner J.P. Prakash who had met various leaders and assessed the ground realities had been asked to stay in the constituency on Saturday also and he would submit a report on returning to Delhi.