Act on violations or cancel bypoll: Tamilisai

The BJP functionaries had submitted video proofs to substantiate their allegations through WhatsApp to Lakhoni, who had assured that action would be taken against the violators.

Without naming sidelined AIADMK leader turned independent candidate TTV Dinakaran, Tamilisai observed that some are distributing their symbols to lure voters, and added that most of the electorate were still faithful to the cash that they had already received and are planning to cast their votes accordingly.

In yet another veiled reference to Dinakaran, she said, “Some, who do not even have a party are having a free run in the entire constituency while even those with registered and recognised parties have so many restrictions in place.”

Reeling out a list of poll violations, Tamilisai observed that some groups had been promising the electorate with post-dated ‘gifts’ after registering their names in their list.

“Even as the EC had warned that booth slips would be given only by the Commission barring political parties and independents from issuing the same, many are seen distributing booth slips in the constituency,” she rued. “The door-to-door campaign ends at 5 pm whereas some parties manage to obtain permission for processions thereafter, and visit the residents as part of the procession,” she added. Asked as to why no action was taken by the Income Tax department over the large-scale corruption charges which led to the cancellation of the bypoll, the leader maintained that the Centre does not prop up the I-T department or the EC.

Meanwhile, Corporation Commissioner K Karthikeyan said all measures are being put in place to ensure a free and fair election. “Vehicle and lodge checks, among others, complement surveillance squads and flying squads in the constituency, which is also being monitored by Observers,” he said.