Tamil Nadu

No cameras, Jayalalithaa assures voters

MADURAI: All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Jayalalithaa on Monday asked the voters of Thirumangalam not to fall prey to the DMK’s “false propaganda” that cameras would watch them at polling booths when they cast their votes. On the third day of campaign for the by-election, she alleged that DMK workers were threatening the voters with “dire consequences,” if they did not vote for their party.

Only the Election Commission would deploy cameramen to videograph violation of election norms and violent incidents, if any, and no camera would record their voting, she said to drive home her point that the people should vote without fear.

Pointing out that all the accused in the murder of former Minister T. Kiruttinan had been acquitted, she wondered how the death took place. “Did he kill himself?” she asked. Even as the witnesses turned hostile “owing to fear,” it was only M. Muthuramanligam, AIADMK candidate, who courageously tendered evidence.

Ms. Jayalalithaa campaigned at Koothiyarkundu, Sivarakottai, Kalligudi and Agathapatti.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu