Election flying squads seize gifts bearing images of Vijay, Stalin in Namakkal and Coimbatore

NAMAKKAL/COIMBATORE: Election flying squads have seized silver utensils bearing the images of TVK and DMK leaders in Namakkal and Coimbatore districts since Monday night, raising concerns about possible efforts to bribe voters.

Nearly 250 silver utensils were seized from an unallotted govt apartment near Tiruchengode in Namakkal district on Monday night after a tip-off that gift items were being stored for distribution to the public on behalf of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.




Officials said the utensils, packed in four bundles, had the stickers bearing the photos of TVK leaders Vijay and Arunraj. Arunraj is seen as the likely TVK candidate in the Tiruchengode assembly constituency. These bundles were found in Block A at Varakoorampatty village.

Officials initiated a search after information was given to Tiruchengode revenue divisional officer Lenin. “The utensils were seized by the election flying squad with police assistance,” the RDO said, adding that a tailoring training school approved by the Tamil Nadu govt was operating at the location where the items were stored.

In Coimbatore, a flying squad team conducted a search at a welding workshop in Cheran Nagar on Tuesday and found 98 large utensils packed in bags featuring images of chief minister M K Stalin, deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, former minister V Senthil Balaji and DMK district secretary Durai Senthamil Selvan. The materials were seized and handed over to the returning officer for the Coimbatore South assembly constituency.

Utensils packed in bags featuring images of chief minister M K Stalin, deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and others.

Meanwhile, intensified vehicle checks across Coimbatore district led to multiple cash seizures. A goods auto was intercepted on the Brookebond Road, where officials found unaccounted cash to the tune of Rs 6.59 lakh. Upon questioning, driver Rasheed claimed that the money was meant to buy chocolates for sale in Kerala. However, he failed to provide documents for the cash. Officials seized the cash and handed it over to the central zone assistant commissioner.

In separate instances, Rs 1.20 lakh and Rs 2 lakh were seized from motorists at Pooluvapatti and Saibaba Colony, respectively.

Flying squad and static surveillance teams jointly seized Rs 10.88 lakh in eight different incidents in the Pollachi assembly constituency between March 15 and 17.

Rs 41.5 lakh was seized during a vehicle inspection in Hosur after a person carrying the cash could not provide supporting documents.