Karti to launch ‘no cash for vote’ drive in RK Nagar

Karti would launch an awareness and signature campaign titled “my vote is not for sale” on behalf of his non-political group G67 (Generation after 1967 when the Congress last ruled the state) at Tondiarpet in poll bound R K Nagar on Monday evening. 

Understandably, the “well- intentioned” campaign has raised many eyebrows even in the state Congress in which senior leaders have gone to bat for ally DMK candidate Maruthu Ganesh in the by poll.  Though it would be construed as politically and morally right to launch such a campaign in a state which has earned a dubious distinction for splurging cash for votes, more so during by elections, the timing of Chidambaram junior’s campaign has disturbed a few in DMK and Congress. 

“What would AIADMK speakers say if a prominent person of our party holds an event of this sort in the middle of a by poll, and that too when our ally DMK has fielded a candidate?” wondered a TNCC senior requesting anonymity. A few DMK seniors, who were visibly annoyed by the campaign, however, put up a brave face by opining that they were also against distribution of cash for votes and they were busy meeting people now. 

Curiously, Karti dismissed criticism and told DT Next that his was a non-political group and any person born after 1967 and fights against distribution of cash for votes was free to join his campaign. “G67 has nothing to do with Congress. If not a by election, when else can I do it? This campaign is against all those who try to buy votes?” Karti said. 

Asked if he would not campaign for their ally DMK’s candidate Maruthu, he tersely said, “I will not campaign for anyone,” emphasising on anyone.