The Hindu : AIADMK violating poll code: CPI

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 17, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

AIADMK violating poll code: CPI

By Our Special Correspondent

TIRUCHI FEB. 16. The CPI has charged the AIADMK with "gross abuse of power" in Sattankulam, where an Assembly byelection is scheduled for February 26, and called upon the Election Commission to intensify its vigil to ensure a free and fair poll.

A resolution, adopted at the district secretaries meeting here, today said an anti-incumbency wave was prevailing in the constituency and pre-poll surveys by various agencies predicted a resounding win for the Congress candidate, A. Mahendran.

In total violation of code of conduct, ten State Ministers had been camping in the constituency for weeks and the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, planned to stay there for six days. Apart from implementing development works, the ruling party was threatening traders supporting the Congress candidate, it said.

The presence of a large number of anti-social elements in villages with the aim of creating fear psychosis among voters was a matter of concern. The meeting urged the EC to take steps to create confidence among voters.

Another resolution condemned the State Government for turning a blind eye to the sufferings of farmers and farm workers of delta districts. The Government had declared 28 districts as drought-hit, but did not launch relief measures properly. Even suicides by farmers failed to evoke the State Government's response. The CPI demanded monitoring committees to check irregularities in drought relief works.

Besides pleading for supply of 30 kg rice to all affected farmers and farm workers, it demanded payment of a dole of Rs. 25 a day.

The meeting condemned the attack on mediapersons and the members of the Kongu Ilaignar Peravai by the police, when they visited Mukkali, where the Kerala Government was constructing a weir across the Bhavani.

`Govt. machinery diverted'

The CPI State secretary, R. Nallakannu has charged the AIADMK with diverting the entire Government machinery to Sattankulam.

Mr. Nallakannu told The Hindu here that the Assembly Constituency Area Development funds were allocated to the constituency. The electorate was "fully aware of anti-people policies" of the AIADMK Government, he said.

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