SEC has failed in its duty: Vanathi

‘Workers and candidates of various parties were intimidated during the campaign for Coimbatore mayoral election’

September 17, 2014 03:11 am | Updated 03:11 am IST - COIMBATORE

BJP mayoral candidate R. Nandakumar (right) and party general secretary Vanathi Srinivasan take out a rally on the last day of campaign in Coimbatore on Tuesday. Photo: M. Periasamy

BJP mayoral candidate R. Nandakumar (right) and party general secretary Vanathi Srinivasan take out a rally on the last day of campaign in Coimbatore on Tuesday. Photo: M. Periasamy

BJP State general secretary Vanathi Srinivasan has charged the State Election Commission (SEC) with failing to act on complaints of electoral malpractices against the AIADMK.

She alleged that workers and candidates of various parties were intimidated during the campaign for the Coimbatore mayoral election. The SEC had failed in its duty to ensure free and fair polls. It should play a proactive role in safeguarding democracy, she told reporters here on Tuesday.

Poll boycott Several parties, including the DMK, had refused to contest the by-polls knowing that they would not be free and fair. The SEC should have held talks with these parties and convinced them to participate in the by-polls. The Opposition should support the BJP in the September 18 elections, she said. She also called upon the voters of Coimbatore to exercise their franchise without fear.

The fact that a host of Ministers were campaigning in Coimbatore showed that the AIADMK had lost the trust of the city’s residents. The Central government was working towards a permanent solution to the Cauvery dispute. Interlinking of rivers was a priority, Ms. Srinivasan said.

White Paper sought The BJP leader demanded that the State government come out with a White Paper on the condition of small and medium enterprises in Coimbatore “hit very hard by the power crisis.” The extent of the impact of power cuts on industries must be ascertained, she said.

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