Tamil Nadu poll pitch: Oppn alleges DMK setting up sheds to confine, bribe voters

Karur: Opposition parties including AIADMK-BJP, NTK, and TVK, on Friday submitted a complaint to the Karur district election officer and collector, K Ravi Kumar, alleging that the DMK is setting up large sheds across Karur "to confine voters, prevent them from attending other political rallies, and bribe them."Former AIADMK minister M R Vijayabhaskar submitted the complaint along with images of these sheds, demanding action. Meanwhile, the DMK, in return, filed a complaint against the allegations made by Vijayabhaskar."DMK has erected large sheds without any permission. These sheds are enclosed with high walls and gates. We have submitted 48 photographs of such sheds, but there could be close to 100 sheds coming up, and work is underway to confine voters. DMK members have started collecting photos, Aadhaar cards, and other details from voters to decide who will be made to sit inside. Their plan is to brainwash one lakh voters by keeping them confined from the time of filing nominations until the day of voting," Vijayabhaskar claimed, adding that they will raise the issue with the election observer.Another AIADMK district functionary said that complaints had also been registered through C-Vigil. "But we receive responses stating that there are no sheds and that it is empty land. There has been no proper action so far," the functionary said.TVK and NTK also expressed similar concerns. "The presence of high walls suggests that activities like distributing money and confining voters will be carried out. The irony is that we do not get permission even for basic activities, while it appears the ruling party can do anything without restrictions. Our leadership is also watching this," said Karur West district secretary V P Mathiazhagan.NTK's candidate for Kulithalai, S Nanmaran, said, "This is not the first time such structures have been erected. It was done during the Aravakurichi bypoll and later during the Erode bypoll, but on a smaller scale. These are not only meant for distributing money but also for confining voters and preventing them from attending the campaigns of other political parties.""We have initiated an inquiry through the concerned officials to determine whether these sheds have come up on government or private land, and the purpose for which they were erected. A report will be submitted on March 21, and necessary action will be taken," said G Vimal Raj, district revenue officer.Speaking to reporters, deputy mayor P Saravanan said, "Only nine sheds have been erected by DMK. In other places, other parties could have erected them. AIADMK is making allegations against DMK out of fear of defeat. They are not able to digest the developments Senthil Balaji has brought in."