MADURAI: The State unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party has demanded cancellation of Friday's elections to the Chennai Corporation and a re-poll in view of the unprecedented violence and booth capturing.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, BJP State president L. Ganesan said the State Election Commission (SEC) should directly supervise the elections in the presence of Army personnel. The media should play the role of a watchdog.

The BJP had protested against the manner in which the elections were conducted. Further action would depend on the Government reaction. The possibility of going to court had been looked into.

Describing Friday's incidents as a blot on the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam administration, Mr. Ganesan said it was unfortunate they had happened when M. Karunanidhi, who was supposed to be a statesman rather than a politician, was in power.

The DMK had attempted to "capture" the Chennai Corporation, sensing that people's verdict would go against it.

Criticising the SEC and police officers for claiming there had been only sporadic violence and that the elections were otherwise peaceful, Mr. Ganesan said officials dancing to the Government's tune happened only during the Emergency.

The State police had not changed its stand (of supporting the party in power) even after the change of guard.

The situation in the State could not be compared with that of Bihar. Tamil Nadu was far worse, he said. The SEC and the police had a duty to ensure fair and peaceful re-poll.

The incidents of booth capturing had underlined the fact that the poll process could not be tampered with when electronic voting machines were used.

The SEC should use EVMs in the re-poll to the Chennai Corporation.

Mr. Ganesan said it was condemnable to seek pardon for Mohammed Afzal, convicted by court in the Parliament attack case. "Those who seek pardon for Afzal will not be pardoned by the people."

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