Ill-treated and not given nod for convoy: BSP candidate

P Babu (27), the BSP’s candidate for the Tiruvannamalai Lok Sabha seat, had sought official permission for a four-vehicle convoy for his campaigns.

As there was no response despite his repeated pleas, he tried to contact the general observer for the constituency on the latter’s mobile phone, but found the phone was switched off. He also complained that he was not treated with respect by officials.

Babu finally chose to drive home his point and staged a dharna with a kerosene bottle next to him under the portico of the collector’s office. Police personnel rushed to the spot and requested Babu to stop his protest, and promised him that his genuine grievances would be looked into by the concerned authorities. Babu, who seemed to be appeased by this assurance, then leftthe premises.