A DMK delegation on Wednesday petitioned Election Commission for transfer of nine police and three election officers of different ranks who were allegedly working in favour of the ruling AIADMK faction in and around R K Nagar Constituency in the run up to the bypoll. The three-member delegation led by MP R S Bharathi also submitted video clippings supporting their allegations.
“Though the previous Chennai Commissioner of Police George was transferred, some officials who were working under him in different ranks are still extending help to the ruling party,” said Bharathi. Similarly, three corporation officials deployed in election works are also not discharging their duties in a fair manner, he said.
“On March 25, the present Zonal Officer of Tondiarpet Vijayakumar took no action when we filed complaint against the State Ministers Udumalai Radhakrishnan and Udayakumar who were making arrangements for distributing money to voters,” said Bharathi speaking to reporters. The petitioner said the poll panel has assured us to take up investigation in this regard.
The DMK leader alleged that MlA P Vetrivel of Sasikala faction was illegally distributing money through various sources in different places to evade scrutiny. “Sasikala camp is resorting to a technique in which money is being distributed in areas abutting R K Nagar constituency like Royap-
uram, Perambur, Harbour and Thiruvottriyur to avoid getting caught,” said Bharathi. We have asked the EC to direct flying squads to take immediate action based on complaints filed by our party cadres on such illegal practices, he said. MPs Tiruchi Siva and T K S Elangovan also accompanied the petitioner.
The EC had issued orders for transfer of George, former Chennai Police Commissioner and previous Returning Officer for RK Nagar based on a petition filed by the DMK.