Vaiko's fax message to Kalam, PM, alleging goondaism by DMK

Chennai, Oct 13 (UNI) Alleging that DMK functionaries unleashed ''unprecedented goondaism and hooliganism'' in the election to Chennai Corporation, Marumalarchi DMK General Secretary Vaiko today appealed President A P J Abdul Kalam to take appropriate steps to cancel the elections and conduct re-poll in fair and free manner.

In a fax message to the President, he alleged that the DMK functionaries had let lose terrorism in connivance with police.

''Democracy is in peril,'' he added.

Alleging that candidates of AIADMK and MDMK had been brutally attacked by the ruling partymen, he said in many of the booths, the candidates and their election agents had been chased away and voters were not even allowed to enter polling booths.

The booths were captured by the DMK men and hired assassins, who had been released from prisons on parole. They were terrorising the public, he added.

Mr Vaiko said MDMK candidate in ward no 18 was brutally attacked and was admitted to the government hosptial in the city in critical condition.

He also requested the President to ensure the safety of AIADMK and MDMK candidates from the ''goondas of the ruling DMK.'' The MDMK leader had also sent similar messages to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and State Governor Surjit Singh Barnala, an MDMK party press release said.

UNI AKN MS BST1523