CPI(M) complains to EC against ‘Thirumangalam in Madurai’

Original Report

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Wednesday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against misuse of official machinery and “unprecedented use of money and goods to lure voters” in the Madurai Lok Sabha constituency.

The CPI (M) sitting MP, P. Mohan, is seeking re-election from the constituency, while the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has fielded M.K. Azhagiri, son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

“The past few weeks have witnessed gross misuse of the official machinery and an unprecedented use of money and goods to lure voters. There have been physical attacks against CPI (M) workers including an MLA,” party general secretary Prakash Karat said in his letter to Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla.

He said that in the recent by-election to the Assembly in Thirumangalam in the State, there was an unprecedented use of money power. “What we are witnessing in Madurai is Thirumangalam on a larger scale,” the letter said.

Mr. Karat enclosed a note listing out 15 complaints made by the CPI (M) and the candidate’s election agent to the Chief Electoral Officer in the State. These include distribution of consumer goods to voters by the DMK, giving bulk applications for inclusion in the voters list, distribution of cash, sarees etc., utilisation of places of worship for electoral campaign by the DMK candidate, inaction by police against the murderous attack on a party member and misuse of the office of Public Relations Officer for campaigning.

The party leader said no effective and serious steps have been taken to stop the malpractices and ensure a free and fair poll. He urged the CEC to intervene in the matter and see that the District Election Officer, the City Police Commissioner and the Public Relations Officer were immediately shifted from their present responsibilities.

Mr. Karat said the EC should send special observers to see that there was no misuse of the official machinery and that the blatant violation of the Model Code of Conduct was put a halt to.

“I wish to emphasise that immediate action needs to be taken if the polls are not to be vitiated in Madurai,” the letter said.

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