Chennai, Feb 18 (BPNS)
The Tamil Nadu police are on high alert after state intelligence tip-offs that huge money is being changed hands during the last minute in various wards in Tamil Nadu on the eve of urban local body elections.
The state election commission has increased the flying squads in each ward to prevent the transfer of money and other gifts like saris, household utensils, and even anklets to get the ‘precious’ vote. With a very low margin of victory in urban local body elections, political parties are not leaving any stone unturned to canvass maximum votes.
Dr. Uma Maheswari, a Political analyst and a Professor of political science at a private college in Chennai while speaking to BPNS said, “The state machinery must wake up from its slumber and catch hold of anyone who is giving cash for votes. Democracy will turn into a farce if this is not curbed. Information I received on Friday morning has revealed that money is changing hands across Tamil Nadu.”
The state election commission sources told BPNS that a joint operation of police, revenue, and election commission officials is held and the number of flying squads is increased to prevent money from being changed hands.
R. Nagarajan, President of, Pammal Resident Association while speaking to BPNS said, “Political parties are indulging in bribing even Resident association members. I have complained to the police and election commission authorities. Even now it is happening without any hindrance. “
Several anti-corruption activists have also shot off letters and emails to the State Election Commission and Police regarding money being given to some resident associations as part of the last-moment vote garnering efforts.
A senior IPS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre who is serving in Chennai while speaking to BPNS said, “ Money is changing hands and in this election other than saris and other gift items, they are giving gift coupons that can be redeemed. Police have crackdown several people and more than 1.5 crore rupees have been seized from Chennai itself in the last few days but across Tamil Nadu, this phenomenon is taking place and police are trying its best to arrest the culprits.”
He also said that both the ruling and opposition parties are blatantly engaged in bribing people for voters.
In another interesting turn, party cadres met people in residential colonies and told them that they would provide a family with health insurance worth Rs 5 lakhs after they wins the polls.
Provisions are also being distributed in colonies and other than directly supplying kits, political parties are indulging in providing coupons that could be redeemed in exchange for household provisions.
While police and State election commission officials claim that they are cracking down on those who indulge in corrupt activities, changing of money is taking place unabated in Tamil Nadu on the eve of urban local body polls.
