Maran denies violating poll code

Chennai, May 7: Denying the charge that he violated the Model Code of Conduct by using 34 vehicles waile campaigning at Krishnagiri recently, Union Minister and DMK leader Dayanidhi Maran today clarified that only three vehicles accompanied him as per rule.

In a statement here, the Minister said he was surprised by media reports that he had violated the poll code by using a large number of vehicles.

Stating that only three vehicles, including two carrying security personnel, followed him when he started from Chennai for electioneering, he said the rest of the vehicles could have belonged to the general public.

Otherwise, DMK men could have come in their vehicles to hear the campaign speech, he said.

Noting that the number of vehicle users had increased in the state, Mr Maran said it was wrong to take into account the other vehicles as part of his convoy and charge him with violating the Model Code.

The Election Commission, based on a report by the Poll Observer in Krishnagiri district, had served a notice to the Union Minister, seeking an explanation on the alleged violation of the poll code.

UNI