Vanathi in a spot for ‘poll code breach’

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state vice-president and party’s nominee for Coimbatore South Assembly constituency Vanathi Srinivasan found herself in the middle of a controversy on Thursday after she was spotted inside a temple at Siddhapudur in the city with a party shawl around her neck and distributing pamphlets to devotees.

While rumours were agog that she campaigned in a few temples in the city – against the model code of conduct – Ms. Vanathi Srinivasan claimed that she did not campaign in the temples and that her action was misinterpreted.

On Thursday, Ms. Vanathi Srinivasan tried to make optimum use of

Vishu to reach out to Malayali voters residing in the city through a novel campaign.

She distributed pamphlets in Malayalam, greeting them on the New Year and seeking votes from them.

She also distributed pamphlets closer to the temple. Ms. Vanathi Srinivasan told The Hindu that she and her cadre were distributing pamphlets to the devotees outside the temple.

“A few lensmen, on spotting women wearing Kerala-style saris, asked me to enter the temple premises and distribute a pamphlet to them for a good photo opportunity,” she said and added that she obliged.

“Since I do not know Malayalam, I was listening to a woman reading it,” she said and reiterated that she did not campaign at the temple premises. She said she had taken this incident as an early warning and would be careful to avoid such situations in future. Coimbatore City Police said that they have not received any complaint in this regard so far.