In Coimbatore, DMK squads try to prevent cash doles

As the clock strikes 10 on Wednesday night, a group of youth on motorcycles set out in the dark through the alleyways of Singanallur constituency in Coimbatore. The youth, all DMK members, are part of the team that has been formed to prevent distribution of cash in the segment.

With the election date approaching fast, candidates of political parties are not just slugging it out on the field canvassing for votes, but are also on their toes to ensure that money power is not used to sway voters.

"For each ward in the constituency, we have formed one motorcycle squad. They will keep patrolling round-the-clock and would keep a check on suspicious movements of other party members," said Pynthamil Pari, DMK's state youth wing deputy organizer.

His father and DMK's election in-charge for Coimbatore and Salem, Pongalur N Palaniswamy has instructed partymen to form similar teams in all constituencies to prevent cash distribution. DMK men say that they are getting alerts from several places and have upped vigil with rumours spreading that cash distribution would happen in the last leg of the campaign.

"We are getting information that tokens are being issued which could be later used in petrol bunks and other places. So our cadres have been asked to prevent such practices," said Pari.

While DMK has formed teams to keep watch on rivals, clashes have erupted at some places between DMK and AIADMK men over alleged cash distribution. On Tuesday, two men belonging to DMK were beaten up for allegedly attempting to prevent cash distribution.

The district administration has increased the number of flying squads. "The control room has been receiving several complaints about cash distribution. We are sending flying squads immediately to such places," said an official.