Bribing of voters rampant in Aravakurichi: PMK

At the meeting held in the presence of the general and expenditure observers, Basakaran alleged that there was largescale bribing of voters. He charged that a few major political parties have already completed one round of money distribution. While the representatives of all other party candidates voiced protest against the expenditure curb on flags and festoons with the Expenditure Observer Shil Asheesh and the General Observer Bhupal Singh Manral, the PMK candidate demanded that steps should be initiated to prevent the ‘note for vote’ practice and liquor being given as bribe to woo electorate.  “If you inspect the sale of liquor in the TASMAC in the district and compare them with the sale volume of previous months, you will get a clear proof to my charges. Liquor is flowing like river in the constituency,” Baskaran claimed. He also appealed to the observers to cross check all the bills submitted by the candidates. Responding to his requests, returning officer Sybudeen said action would be initiated when complaints were received on money distribution and informed the meeting that the liquor sale was being monitored in the constituency and the district. Subsequently, the returning officer also asked the PMK candidate to give a written complaint clearly listing all his charges.