All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Jayalalithaa has asked the Election Commission (EC) to act tough to stop the violence unleashed by ruling party workers men in the aftermath of the polls.
In a statement, she said that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) was targeting her party workers for exposing malpractice and irregularities on polling day. Afraid of defeat, the ruling party had attacked her party activists at Melur, Tiruporur, Tiruparankundram, Cuddalore and other places. Several injured AIADMK cadre have been admitted to hospitals.
She said that the State police were helpless and asked the EC to direct the force to arrest those responsible for the violence. “An ironhanded approach is needed.”
Alleging threat to the life of V. Senthilnathan, AIADMK candidate for Aravakurichi constituency in Karur, she sought adequate protection for him.
Vijayakant's plea
In a separate statement, Vijayakant, president, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), also asked the EC to take steps to grant security to the candidates of the AIADMK alliance. He said that DMDK cadre were grievously injured in attacks by DMK workers at Tiruvallur, Vedachandur, Sholinganallur, Pennagaram and Karaikkal. The party's weaver's wing secretary in Dharmapuri district was murdered, Mr. Vijayakanth said. He granted solatium of Rs.1 lakh to the family and promised to fund the education of his two children.
The State police should act sternly by arresting the ruling party workers indulging in violence. They had to be impartial in protecting the lives and properties of people, he said, asking the EC to issue necessary directions to this effect.
