Pon Radhakrishnan seeks cancellation of Tamil Nadu civic bypolls

COIMBATORE: Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Pon Radhakrishnan, today sought cancellation of civic bye-elections in Tamil Nadu, alleging that the ruling AIADMK was indulging in distribution of money and also misuse of official power.

Displaying a few currency notes, allegedly thrown by AIADMK workers after seeing BJP activists at Goundanpalayam in the city, at a press conference, Radhakrishnan said the State election commission should stop the elections, considering the usage of money and muscle power of ruling party.

BJP has already lodged a complaint with the Commission about money being distributed. He alleged that police and certain officials in the poll machinery were supporting the ruling party and not taking action, despite poll violations being brought to their notice, since the process began.

If the poll authority failed to cancel the elections, all political parties should support BJP candidates in the elections, to uphold democracy. It was necessary to make BJP candidates victorious, to teach a lesson to money and muscle power, he said.

When it was pointed out that BJP Mayoral candidate in Tirunelveli Vellaiammal had withdrawn from the contest and joined AIADMK, he said no one knew the reason or motive behind this development and the party was probing it.

On attacks on fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy, Radhakrishnan said the Centre was working out modalities to find out a permanent solution.

He, however, claimed that the incidents of attack and seizure of boats have considerably declined and the release of those taken into custody also expedited.