Thanks to the implementation of Model Code of Conduct, police personnel attached to the anti-land grabbing cells (ALGC) set up throughout the State are now enjoying their much-needed break after nearly 50 months of tedious and tiring work.
The personnel attached to the ALGC, which is considered as a district-level punishment wing as it took a heavy toll on the health, particularly eyesight and mental health, felt elated when they were asked not to pursue their cases till the general elections come to an end in the month of May.
“For the next few weeks our eyes and mind are relieved from going through the documents and interpreting the same. Further, we relish the chance to wear our uniform,” they said.
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Elections are not all about keeping track of and being a step ahead of the opponents. It is also about being watchful of conmen, as this AIADMK worker in Coimbatore discovered a couple of days ago.
A person who called up AIADMK worker ‘Singai’ Muthu identified himself as Mayor S.M. Velusamy and sought money for poll-related expenses. The caller had told Mr. Muthu that he deposit the money in the account he would mention. Mr. Muthu realised that he was being cheated and asked the caller if he indeed was the Mayor. The person at the other end snapped the line and switched off his mobile.
Mr. Muthu then went to the Singanallur police station, lodged a complaint and walked back home without losing a penny.
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The candidates of different parties in fray in the Karur Lok Sabha constituency are facing a complex problem, as the constituency is spread over in four revenue districts of Karur, Tiruchi, Dindigul and Pudukottai.
While the Karur, Aravakurichi and Krishnarayapuram Assembly segments are in Karur district, Manapparai falls in Tiruchi district, Vedasandur in Dindigul district and Viralimalai in Pudukottai district.
The candidates and their supporters have to get in touch with the party units of their respective districts for coordinating the electioneering, collecting the electoral rolls, forming of booth committees etc. Even for the poll-related official works, and for security arrangements the candidates and their men have to get in touch with the authorities of these four districts. The revenue and the police authorities attached to these four districts too undergo similar hardships.
Most of the time, polls have benefited the political parties as they make promises and get away with votes. In the end, the voters are left stranded.
Having learnt a lesson or two more from earlier polls, the Tamil Nadu Tiny and Small Industries’ Association decided to support those parties that would take care of its immediate needs by including the same in their election manifesto.
By the time the association convened the press meet to exhibit its strength and to narrate its woes, election manifestos of major parties were out.
The association boasts of having close to 2.30 crore voters. But how many of them will heed to its leaders’ voice is yet to be seen.
In fact, an industry expert remarked that the expectations of the association looked similar to that of annual budget memorandum submitted to the Finance Ministers, both in the State and Centre.
