District Collector and District Election Officer J. Kumaragurubaran told The Hindu that a complaint against Revenue Minister P. Thangamani for his alleged remarks that reportedly violated the model code of conduct (MCC) will be forwarded to the State Election Commission.
His statement came after receiving the complaint from district secretary of Desiya Murpoku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and MLA of Tiruchengode Assembly Segment P. Sampath Kumar on Sunday. The Collector also claimed that he was not informed of the complaint lodged in this regard by the Returning Officer (RO) of Kumarapalayam Municipality, on Saturday.
“Sunday's complaint is the first I have got in this connection and it will be forwarded to the RO of Kumarapalayam Municipality and the District Police,” he said. The issue will be followed up and appropriate action taken according to the rules and election guidelines, he added.
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Talking about the complaint lodged by the Dravida Munetra Kazhagam (DMK) and DMDK on Saturday, the Collector made it clear that the claimed proof – video recording of Mr. Thangamani's speech that is claimed to be violating the MCC – will be thoroughly examined before taking further course of action.
Mr. Thangamani told The Hindu that he was misquoted by the complainants that he violated the MCC. “I said that if candidates from other parties were elected they might not take the benefits under various schemes to the beneficiaries – in time – as they may not want the All India Anna Dravida Munetra Kazhagam government to take credit for those schemes,” he said.