Vikravandi byelection: Independent candidate resorts to road roko

VILLUPURAM: Blaming election officials’ apathy in curbing cash distribution allegedly by two key candidates in

Vikravandi

byelection, film director V Gowthaman, an independent candidate in the fray, resorted to a

road roko

on Chennai–Trichy National Highway at Vikravandi on Thursday.

Gowthaman said, “The two key parties had been hiding Rs 150 crore to be distributed to voters. On the behalf of

Tamilar Kudiarasu Katchi

, we had lodged a petition with district collector L Subramanian on Monday.”

“Due to inaction by the election department and the district administration, functionaries of the two key parties are continuing cash distribution,” he said.

He accused top leaders of both the ruling and the opposition parties of transporting ‘bribe money’ in their cars with backing from police and resorted to a road roko with ten of his supporters for more than 30 minutes.

Later, police made the agitators lift the protest.

Gowthaman on Thursday submitted a fresh petition to police and election returning officer Chandrasekran seeking stringent action against the two key parties for the alleged bribing.

Traffic on the highway was affected for half an hour due to the stir.