By V.M. Khaleelur Rahman for TwoCircles.net
Chennai: The present Tamil Nadu assembly elections2011 is definitely different from the past elections. There are no big posters and campaign writing on the walls. The Election Commission is implementing the election rules and regulations strictly to prevent cash, gifts, alcohol etc. being paid to voters. Unprecedented police vigilance is there throughout Tamil Nadu.
All evening Tamil newspapers flashed the news on their front page that Rs.5,11,27,000/- (Rupees five crore eleven lakh and twenty seven only) carried in a bus in Tiruchi ostensibly meant to utilize in the election campaign unlawfully were seized by the election authorities. According to reports in newspapers, after getting a tip-off, Mrs. S. Sangeetha, revenue divisional officer and returning officer of Tiruchi west constituency went to the spot with just one constable and her driver, searched the bus and seized the amount. The driver of the bus fled the scene the moment the officials went there. Income tax officials raided the house of the bus owner Mr. Udhayakumar and took him, his son Mr. Arun Balaji and a manager for interrogation. The details of the enquiry have not been revealed so far.
The Election Commission has received many complaints about the corrupt practices being indulged in by different political parties. Many seizures of unaccounted money were made by the Election Commission. While the DMK alliance complained about it, its political rival the AIADMK alliance appreciated the actions taken by the Election Commission. However the Commission made it clear that if it was proved that the money was meant for any genuine business or any other lawful purpose then it would be returned to the owners.
Tamil Nadu transport minister Mr. K.N.Nehru is the DMK candidate for the Tiruchi west constituency. He has issued a statement saying that he or any of his relatives was not responsible for it. The rumour spread about his involvement in it had prompted him to clarify the matter. The AIADMK candidate for this constituency is Ms. N. Mariam Pitchai.
Many newspapers have also reported another incident. One Mr. Pandi is the owner of a tea shop near Perunazhi bus terminus. His house is also near the shop. According to reports available, Muthugaluthur assembly constituency police received information that some politicians had kept several lakhs of rupees at his residence. They along with Collector Mr. Ravichandran and other police officials searched the house and found many bags containing 1000 rupee notes which amounted to Rs.40 lakhs.
Apart from these there were also reports earlier that more than Rs.21 crore of cash and materials were recovered from some people in raids conducted in different places in Tamil Nadu till 3rd April 2011 but after verification Rs. 4.88 crores were returned to the owners. Further details are not available.