This Article is From Apr 23, 2014

AIADMK using police vehicles to transport bribe money, claims MK Stalin

AIADMK using police vehicles to transport bribe money, claims MK Stalin

File photo of MK Stalin

Chennai: DMK's treasurer MK Stalin has alleged that the ruling AIADMK is using police vehicles to transport bribe money to voters in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu goes to polls tomorrow. (India Votes 2014: Coverage)

In a complaint to State Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Kumar, the DMK leader says, "The ruling party pays Rs 3,000 to every voter. The money is being transported by police and other officials in their vehicles".

Mr Stalin has also sought lifting of the prohibitory orders imposed in many districts in the state by the police on the direction by the Chief Electoral Officer.

"Never in the history of Tamil Nadu have prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CRPC been issued on the eve of elections. This has paved the way for the ruling AIADMK to distribute money with the blessings of police officials," he says. (India Votes 2014: Candidates)

Sources in the AIADMK have denied these allegations.

"DMK is already scared of defeat. It is desperately looking for excuses," said a senior party leader. (Also Read: In Tamil Nadu, a daddy, lady and Modi in final election speeches)

The Election Commission has seized a total of Rs 24 crore in cash and items worth Rs 29 crore including gold, liquor, dhoti, sari and gift articles, allegedly meant for voters. Officials are, however, not divulging the names of the parties transporting these.

"We do check police vehicles and so far no cash has been recovered from these vehicles," said Mr Kumar. (Also Read: MK Stalin takes a dig at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa)

Regarding the prohibitory orders, he said, "It is to clamp down on the bribing of voters. The orders will cease from 6 am on polling day. The public need not worry. However, exemptions have been made for occasions like weddings or funerals even when the orders are in force".
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