The raid took place following a tip-off that the ruling AIADMK is sending money from Karur to bribe voters.
Highlights
- Election Commission authorities seized close to Rs 10 crore from two men
- Income tax authorities are investigating the matter
- The AIADMK government has already distributed a multitude of freebies
The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu is facing allegations of bribing voters as the Election Commission authorities have seized close to Rs 10 crore from two men -- one of them a party member and another believed to be a supporter. Assembly elections will be held in the state on May 16.
One of the men allegedly involved is an industrialist and film financier, Anbunathan based in Karur.
At his home in Karur, officials have recovered cash to the tune of Rs 4.7 crore, and dhotis and sarees worth Rs 1 crore. Part of the money was allegedly stashed in the parking yard. Besides, they found at least six cash counting machines. Officials also found an ambulance in the premises with Government of India emblem on Saturday. Locals say ambulances are the favoured vehicles to carry cash.
The raid took place following a tip-off that the ruling AIADMK is sending money from here to bribe voters.
Income tax authorities are investigating the matter. "Manual counting of cash is on. At this point, we can't conclusively say this is unaccounted money," said Roy Jose, an Income Tax department official present at the raid.
The day after, on Sunday, the authorities following another tip-off EC authorities recovered around Rs 5 crore from a posh apartment in Chennai's Egmore belonging to another man, whose name is yet to be officially released. State Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni said IT officials are investigating the issue.
The seizures have given a boost to the opposition. DMK chief M Karunanidhi has demanded a response from AIADMK Chief Jayalalithaa. PMK Chief Dr Ramadoss said, "AIADMK shouldn't be allowed to contest polls".
The Jayalalithaa government has already distributed a multitude of freebies among the people - including laptops, mixers, grinders, fans, gold coins and school kits. A rough estimate suggests the amount spent on them could be close to Rs 21,000 crore.
AIADMK Spokesperson LR Saraswathi said, "There's no proof yet that the cash was meant to be used to bribe voters".