Cash flow reaches peak in southern districts

On the final day of campaign the parties had intensified cash distribution in some tightly contested constituencies. Athoor constituency in Dindigul, which is one of the fiercely fought constituencies in the state with minister Natham Viswanathan sweating out against I Periyasamy of DMK, the flow of money had been the highest so far in the state. 

If locals were to be believed, Rs 6,000 per vote was distributed in the constituency. 

Similarly in Tiruchendur where AISMK leader Sarathkumar is battling against three times’ MLA from DMK, Anitha R Radhakrishnan, Rs 1,000 per vote was distributed to all the voters. A photo journalist attached to a local media residing at Nazareth in Tiruchendur constituency received a call from a person claiming that Rs 5,000 had been given to his family for five votes and he was told to get this confirmed by his family.

The journalist said the person who called him did not give his name and did not talk beyond 20 seconds. The amount was also given to his sister who is married and was residing at Coimbatore, he said. 

At Srivaikuntam, cadre attached with DMDK-PWF-TMC staged a road roko in front of taluk office demanding the officials to curb flow of money to voters. 

At Jaihindpuram in Madurai, 250 cadre attached to DMDK-PWF-TMC alliance who protested seeking action against those who were distributing money were booked by the police for staging a protest without seeking prior permission. 

Ramar, deputy chairman of Kovilpatti municipality, who came to distribute money at Kovilpatti was caught by the people and handed over to police. Police seized Rs 90,000 from him. He was arrested and remanded. 

At Tirunelveli, when members of a party were involved in distribution of money flying squad officials reached the spot. The fled from the scene leaving the cash behind at a saloon.