Ahead of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president M. Karunanidhi’s participation in a meeting here on Sunday, members of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) submitted a petition to the Election Observer (General) seeking a change in the meeting venue.
Speaking to the Observer Rani Kumuthini, representatives of the AIADMK said that Obulapadithurai, where the meeting was scheduled to be held, was a congested and crowded area even on normal days.“With a lot of party functionaries, district members and alliance parties expected to participate, the area will become even more crowded, causing inconvenience to the places of worship nearby,” they said. The 50-odd party members stated that many people frequented the vegetable and fish markets in the surrounding areas and as Monday was Tamil New Year’s Day, the meeting would create public nuisance.
Members of the DMK advocates wing submitted a petition to Ms. Rani Kumuthini alleging that there had been no action taken against the AIADMK with regard to distributing cash for votes.
In their petition, they claimed that the AIADMK Minister Sellur K. Raju had made derogatory remarks against the DMK at an election meeting. Stating that the police and the district administration were biased towards the ruling party, they asked for the transfer of the Returning Officer L. Subramanian.
Representatives from the Indian National Congress (INC) led by district president P. Sethuraman too submitted a petition to the Election Observer asking for the release of two vehicles which were seized by the flying squad.
Mr. Sethuraman said that the vehicles, a two-wheeler and a four-wheeler, had been part of the convoy which accompanied Union Minister G.K. Vasan during his campaigning in the district.
