Bribing voters; DMK's Stalin caught on tape

Chennai, Jan 5: MK Stalin, Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam leader and the Tamil Nadu Local Administration leader was allegedly caught on tape, distributing money to the voters in Tirumangalam during his campaign.

The video released by AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam) shows Stalin giving money during Tirumangalam by-polls campaign and the party had called it a violation of poll code. The DMK treasurer could also face trouble with the State Election Commission over the money distribution.

By-polls to Tirumangalam constitutency near Madurai are scheduled to be held on Jan 9. Both AIADMK and ruling DMK are engaged in a bitter battle for Tirumangalam.

DMK sources said that the video of Stalin distributing money is not recent one or from Tirumangalam, but it is of a party function. But AIADMK maintained that the DMK has been involved in bribing voters.

AIADMK chief and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalithaa said, "It is not surprising to hear that Stalin and other DMK ministers have been video taped and caught in giving money as enticement to voters in Tirumangalam constitutency. This is how cheap the DMK can get. They give money to voters to win an election."

Stalin after launching his poll campaign for Tirumangalam, had said that all those who did not get the free colour tv sets would get them soon. "We could give only 35,000 TV sets in the first phase. In the second phase we gave 25 lakh TVs. Now we have ordered for 40 lakh TV sets. The tender has been finalised and orders have been placed," Stalin said at Perungudi.

He also claimed that Tamil Nadu was the only state where 33 pc reservation in local bodies for women is implemented. Stalin said that the DMK is the only party which had implemented the election promises 100 pc and also was doing more than promised.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)