The unprecedented decision of the Election Commission to defer polling in Aravakurichi on account of large-scale complaints of bribing voters has put the limelight on the predominantly agrarian constituency in Karur district for all the wrong reasons.
The electoral battle in the constituency generated huge interest when the AIADMK nominated V. Senthil Balaji, the influential former Transport Minister whose rise and fall in the AIADMK in recent years has been spectacular, to take on sitting DMK MLA K.C. Palanisamy.
KCP, as Mr. Palanisamy is referred to in political and industrial circles, is a heavyweight in the constituency and also one of the richest candidates in the State.
Mr. Senthil Balaji, who was shifted from Karur to Aravakurichi, is certainly no pushover and was seen as one who could mount a stiff challenge to Mr. KCP. The DMDK-PWF combine had nominated G. Kalaiarasan of the MDMK, which too has substantial presence in the constituency, making it a keenly fought contest.
Going by past record, the two Dravidian parties were almost on equal footing with each of them winning four elections each since the constituency was formed in 1971.
The seizure of Rs. 4.77 crore and a number of currency counting machines from the house of P. Anbunathan at Ayyampalayam and the seizure of Rs. 1.98 crore from the houses of Palanisamy and his son K.C.P. Sivaraman set the tone for the EC to postpone the election to the Aravakurichi constituency.
Anbunathan factor
Not much was known about Mr. Anbunathan before this election. But as the Election Commission has pointed out, Mr. Anbunathan, a financier and real estate operator, is believed to be close to a few AIADMK Ministers, a perception bolstered by incriminating documents seized by the IT officials from his house. The notings found in the documents further revealed that saris and dhotis had been purchased to the tune of Rs. 1.30 crore to be distributed to the voters. Besides, Mr. Anbunathan was booked for using some un-registered ambulance vehicles for transporting the money.
Mr. Palanisamy, who was booked in 2011 for his alleged involvement in illegal sand mining on the banks of Cauvery, runs a packaging unit that has branches in a few places of the State.
Though a section of voters is sceptical about the EC’s action, many voters admit that the main contenders had followed systematic and orchestrated ways and means to influence the voters by distributing cash and kind right from the start of the campaign.
Over 30 complaints of money distribution were registered in the grievance redress portal set by the election authorities.
While appreciating the action of Election Commission, voters questioned the timing of it when the distribution of cash was already over.
“I welcome the action. It will send a strong signal to the political parties. However, it will not serve any purpose,” said a voter of the constituency who did not want to be identified.
