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DMK to boycott Sattankulam poll

By R.K. Radhakrishnan

CHENNAI Jan. 20 . Alleging malpractices by the ruling AIADMK and lack of adequate action to curb its wrongdoings, the DMK today said it would boycott the Sattankulam Assembly byelection.

For putting an end to ``the anti-people, fascist'' Government, it was necessary to bring people together in one front. As the DMK wanted to fulfil this democratic duty, the party did not want to participate in the poll and dissipate its focus from the core issue, said a statement released after a high-power planning committee meeting here.

Also, the Sattankulam poll alone would not decide the future of Tamil Nadu. ``When a big Opposition party boycotts the election, the people would make enquiries with interest,'' said the president, M. Karunanidhi. ``The extent of malpractices indulged in will be made clear by this boycott.''

The Election Commission, which initially asked the Government to suspend the farmers' noon meal scheme in the constituency, later accorded permission for it in Sattankulam. This could be considered the first of the instances of transgression of the model code, the party said.

The reported execution of development works under supervision by Ministers, distribution of wristwatches with the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa's picture on them, the EC allowing 16 identification certificates other than the Elector's Identity card, the alleged removal of about 24,000 voters from the rolls and the blatant support extended by the police and the administration to the ruling party were proof enough that the election would be far from free and fair. This would have to be seen in the context of all byelections and civic elections held after the AIADMK came to power. The ruling party spared no election or even the counting process, the committee noted. Mr. Karunanidhi said the malpractices would be brought to the EC notice and courts would also be approached. But, the party took recourse to this action even in the earlier instances.

Asked which party DMK men would vote, Mr. Karunanidhi said: ``The DMK members and sympathisers will definitely not vote for the ruling party.'' He did not elaborate. For now, the party believes that it is necessary to concentrate on the next Lok Sabha elections.

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