The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam on Saturday urged the Election Commission to take stringent measures to stop cash distribution by the ruling AIADMK in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April 24.
During discussions with Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath here to assess poll preparedness, the parties expressed anguish over the cash flow ahead of the polls.
Talking to journalists after the meeting, DMK representatives said they asked the EC to act against officials involved in cash distribution as the ruling party planned to distribute money to voters in all villages with the help of police and revenue officials, especially at nights.
Vehicle checks The DMK also demanded that EC officials monitor disbursement of wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme because it received information that cash would be given to workers along with the salary. It wanted vehicle checks to be conducted impartially.
Congress leader Peter Alphonse said his party asked the EC to probe the source of money for the five per cent increase in liquor sales in the State over the past four days. CPI (M) general secretary G. Ramakrishnan said it was essential to curb cash flow for the smooth conduct of polling.
