Voters ‘honoured’ with cash-laden shawls

A few days ago, the cadre of a major political party went on a gifting spree disbursing hundreds of shawls to elderly voters in Pallavaram. Wherever a party worker spotted an aged voter, on the roadside, or outside their homes, the cadre rushed to them and wrapped a shawl around them. Notes in the denomination of Rs 500 were rolled and tied to the ends of these shawls in bundles.

The cadre then alert the voters on the money tied to ends of the shawl and voters pocket the cash without a protest. 

Jaganathan, who lives in Pallavaram says, “There are other methods to bypass flying squads. One day we found a brown envelope containing money slid under the door of our house during a power cut. Residents came to know of this only when power was restored. The ‘money-laden’ shawl is a new method, and is being used for the first time.”