MADURAI: The election scene in the Madurai Central Assembly constituency hotted up on Thursday with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) accusing the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of attempting to bribe voters.

At least, 10 AIADMK cadres sustained injuries when they were beaten up, allegedly while trying to stop an attempt at bribery.

Denies charge

The DMK denied the charge and said any malpractice should have been brought to the notice of election officials. The AIADMK should not have indulged in direct action.

`Rs. 500 per vote'

Madurai urban district secretary of the AIADMK and candidate for the by-election, V. V. Rajan Chellappa, told reporters that following information that some DMK cadres were distributing Rs. 500 per vote in the Krishnan Temple area, he and his supporters tried to prevent them.

"They brandished deadly weapons and started attacking us. While I had a narrow escape, ten party functionaries suffered injuries. A few of our vehicles were damaged."

Road roko staged

Condemning the incident, the candidate staged a road roko near the Periyar bus stand, displaying, what he claimed, were currency notes and leaflets used by the DMK workers. The agitators marched to the Commissioner of Police office and lodged a complaint.

"The police were reluctant to take action. Though we specifically named the accused, no arrests were made. Soda bottles were put inside the damaged vehicles and a false complaint was lodged as if we had attacked the DMK party workers. We have informed the Election Observer (General) and a complaint will also be sent to the Election Commission," Mr. Rajan Chellappa said.

Dubbing the charge of bribing voters as "baseless," DMK urban district secretary V. Velusamy said AIADMK functionaries, including Mr. Rajan Chellappa, came to the DMK election office in ward 39 and damaged tube-lights and furniture.

"If the AIADMK candidate had any grievance, he should have complained to the police or election officials instead of taking action on his own."

Cases registered

Based on complaints lodged by the parties, the city police registered cases on charges of "rioting" and "assault" among others against Essar Gopi, Mubarak Manthiri and 51 others of the DMK and Mr. Rajan Chellappa and 10 others of the AIADMK.

Jayalalithaa arrives

AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa arrived here on Thursday for campaigning. Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi is expected to arrive from Tirunelveli on Friday.

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