The DMK alleged that the ruling party, as well as some officials and media houses, are ‘unable to digest’ the people’s support for the DMK.
Days ahead of the state Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, the DMK party filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Monday, seeking an inquiry against the ruling AIADMK party. The DMK accused its rival party of initiating a “malicious campaign” against former minister KN Nehru, who is the principal secretary of the DMK. The DMK alleged that the ruling party, along with officials and media subservient to them, are “indulging in bringing bad reputation to the party and as well to the leaders of the party,” in light of the “overwhelming support of the people of Tamil Nadu to the DMK.”
In its complaint, the party said that the Tamil daily Dinamalar had published a news item on its front page on March 27, speculating that the polls for Karur, Trichirapalli West and Trivannamalai constituencies, scheduled to take place on April 6, would be cancelled.
According to the complaint, in a coordinated manner on the same day, it was also propagated on social media that Nehru had allegedly distributed money to all the police stations in Trichirapalli jurisdiction to gain information about election squad movements. The complaint further alleges that it was also propagated on social media that Tiruchirappalli Police Commissioner Loganathan had conducted searches in six police stations under the Trichirapalli West constituency, in which police recovered a total of Rs 64,000.
The money was allegedly distributed by the advocates to police stations, seeking favour for the DMK. According to the opposition party, it was shared on social media that Rs 24,000 cash in 12 covers was seized in Trichy Thillai Nagar police station and Rs 40,000 in 2o covers was seized in Trichy GH police station.
“If it is true that an enquiry was conducted discreetly by the Commissioner of Police Loganathan, how is it possible for the people operating in social media to give those details with such minute particulars?” the DMK said in its complaint.
The DMK sought a three-pronged investigation from the CEO. One, on what basis Dinamalar published the news that the Karur, Trichirapalli West and Trivannamalai constituencies would be countermanded. Another investigation was sought into the matter of how social media users were privy to the details of the ‘discreet’ inquiry, and lastly, the identity of the person who leaked the confidential information.
The DMK alleged, “Without the intervention of the ruling party or minister in-charge of the Home Department, namely the Chief Minister, it is not possible to divulge these intrinsic details of enquiry being conducted by the top police officials closely monitored by the Revenue Department and monitored by the Election Commission.”
“If answers are found to these questions, it will be very well understood that it is a game plan of the ruling party and the unfair practice followed by them to win the election by hook or crook,” the DMK’s complaint read.
On Sunday, AIADMK candidate of Tiruchi (West) constituency V Padmanathan lodged a complaint against K N Nehru with the District Election Officer, demanding disqualification of his candidature for allegedly bribing policemen.
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Source: The News Minute