Terming DMK’s victory in the Pennagaram by-poll as “artificial”, the AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa on Tuesday alleged that the win of the ruling party came through “money and muscle power”.
“This victory, which is artificial, came through money and muscle power. This is a big defeat to democracy,” Ms. Jayalalithaa, whose party was pushed to the third spot, said in a statement here.
Alleging that the PMK, which secured second position, also indulged in poll irregularities, she charged that the Election Commission acted as a “mute spectator” and failed to take any steps to stop these irregularities.
“This raises doubts over the future of democracy,” she said.