BJP hits out at DMK, AIADMK on civic poll issue

Chennai, Oct 12 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu today accused the ruling DMK and the Opposition AIADMK of indulging in ''ugly display of money and muscle power'' in the campaign for civic elections.

Addressing a press conference here, BJP State Vice President H Raja said the actions of both the Dravidian parties would only shatter people's faith in grassroots democracy.

Charging the two parties with indulging in ''immoral ways'' in most places to lure voters, he said liquor flowed like river, spoiling a generation.

''If this continues, people will lose faith in democracy,'' he warned.

Mr Raja alleged BJP candidates were being intimidated by DMK men in most places and they were not even being allowed to campaign for the election.

The BJP leader said he had made a representation to State Election Commissioner D Chandrasekaran citing various instances but no action had been taken so far.

The State Election Commission should take steps for impartial conduct of the local body elections, he urged.

Stating that the epidemic of chikungunya was a serious problem, Mr Raja said the State Government should admit the fact without considering it as a prestige issue.

The government should also compensate victims of the viral fever for the medical expenses incurred by them as the disease had spread due to the 'failure of the administrative machinery,' he added.

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