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Tuesday, Jan 06, 2009
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‘Register case against Stalin’

J. Venkatesan

Election Commission order follows distribution of money in Thirumangalam

— Photo: N. Sridharan

A TV grab of a video clip of Minister M.K. Stalin giving money at Thirumangalam.

New Delhi: Taking a serious view of an incident covered by the print and electronic media of distribution of money by M.K. Stalin, Tamil Nadu Local Administration Minister, and some supporters of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Thirumangalam on January 3, the Election Commission has ordered the registration of a case against him.

A by-election is taking place in the Thirumangalam Assembly constituency on January 9.

The Commission also slapped a notice on the DMK to show cause why action should not be taken for violating the Model Code of Conduct and indulging in a corrupt practice within the meaning of Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

It directed that an appropriate complaint be filed by the Returning Officer/District Election Officer, Madurai, in a competent court of law under the provisions of 171E of Indian Penal Code against Mr. Stalin and others of the DMK, and Amman K. Dhandapani and others of the MGR Mandram, who were found distributing money and soliciting votes in Somasundaram Street, Thirumangalam, on December 31.

In the notice to the DMK general secretary, the Commission sought an explanation within two days “why action should not be taken against your party under the relevant law and the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, for the said violation of legal provisions of the law and the instructions of the Commission.”

Notice to AIADMK

In a notice to the AIADMK general secretary, the Commission said: “An allegation has been brought to the notice of the Commission that on December 31 at about 8.30 p.m., at Somasundaram Street, Thirumangalam, AIADMK partymen distributed money among electors and solicited votes in return; that some of the papers which slipped from the pocket of one of the persons involved in the act, allegedly belonging to your party, named Amman K. Dhandapani, indicates that he had deposited Rs.45 lakh in bank in five different names on December, 11, 2008, including in his own name; and that a police complaint has also been lodged in Thirumangalam Town Police Station.”

The Commission sought an explanation within two days “why action should not be taken against your party under the relevant law and the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 196. ...”

Stalin: it was a gift to a new-born baby

Reacting to the allegation that he distributed money for soliciting votes, Mr. Stalin said: “It was a gift to a new- born baby… we have evidence to prove this point.”

Corrections and Clarifications

The eighth paragraph of a report "'Register case against Stalin'" (January 6, 2009, page 1) had a reference to the "Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 196". It should have been the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, as mentioned in the fifth paragraph.

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