Stalin accuses EC of functioning as government's ally

Asserting that people of Tamil Nadu have decided to vote for a change to throw out the AIADMK regime in the State and the BJP-led NDA at the Centre, Opposition DMK President M K Stalin on Thursday accused the Election Commission (EC) of 'functioning like an ally of the ruling governments'.

Talking to reporters after casting his vote, he alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had used the EC like the Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Directorate to intimidate political rivals.

He was referring to rescinding of election to Vellore seat.

''As DMK president, I urge all voters to come and vote so as to bring about a change in the governments.''

''All of you should vote. I hope people are not influenced by money being distributed by some parties," Mr Stalin, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, said.

"This election will create a new trend. People of Tamil Nadu have vowed to defeat the governments at the Centre and in Tamil Nadu and distribution of Rs 1,000, Rs 2,000, Rs 5,000 and even Rs 10,000 more will not influence them'', he added.

''Even if the ruling party spends several crores of rupees, they will not succeed in their attempt to make them pliable," he said.

He also hoped that the EC attends to all EVMs that have developed snags in various places.