Stalin blames Election Commission for defeat in three constituencies

Attributing the party’s debacle in the three-constituency polls to the ruling party’s excesses, DMK treasurer M K Stalin on Tuesday accused the Election Commission of turning blind eye to large scale distribution of cash by the AIADMK. Alleging that the AIADMK had won by committing excesses, and the EC turning blind eye to distribution of cash, Stalin conceded the defeat in all the three seats and said, “Ministers had camped in various places and distributed cash to voters, but the Election Commission had ignored it in toto.” 

However, an optimistic Stalin took comfort in the votes polled by his party and said, “That the DMK has polled such high numbers despite the violations committed by ruling AIADMK is a proof that the ruling party will suffer a massive defeat in future. We will not be cowed down by the defeat. We will continue to serve the people of Tamil Nadu.”

 Significantly, DMK insiders believed that the party could have done well in the polls, particularly in Aravakurichi where the party heavyweight KC Palanisamy matched his rival Senthil Balaji muscle to muscle. 

Results of Tiruparankundram bypoll would be an eye sore considering that the margin of defeat had nearly doubled from around 23,000 to 42,000 plus votes now. With the victory in three seats, AIADMK’s tally in the Assembly has increased to 136. More than the spike in numbers, the victory means more to the AIADMK workers considering that they have achieved it despite the absence of their leader throughout the campaign period. It may be recalled that both the Dravidian majors, the AIADMK and the DMK,  retained the candidates who were earlier named for the two constituencies during the May 16 Assembly polls. The notificiation for the election to the two segments were rescinded then following reports of largescale money distribution. In fact, it was the first time that the Election Commission had to rescind its own order. The decision of both the parties was criticised by all other parties in the state.