CPI(M) seeks transfer of officials in Madurai LS seat
New Delhi (PTI) Alleging "blatant violation" of the model code, the CPI(M) has demanded immediate transfer of some senior officials in Madurai Lok Sabha constituency where Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's son M K Azhagiri is pitted against its candidate P Mohan.
"The past few weeks have witnessed gross misuse of the official machinery and an unprecedented use of money and goods to lure voters. There have been physical attacks against the CPI(M) workers including an MLA," CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat said in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla seeking his intervention in the matter.
Maintaining that a recent by-election in the Thirumangalam assembly seat had seen "an unprecedented use of money power", Mr. Karat said: "What we are witnessing in Madurai is Thirumangalam on a larger scale."
He said that despite several complaints by the party, "no effective and serious steps have been taken to stop the malpractices and ensure a free and fair poll."
Mr. Karat demanded that the District Election Officer, the City Police Commissioner and the Public Relations Officer should be "immediately transferred out of their present responsibilities.
"Impartial officers must be assigned poll duties. The Commission should send special observers to see that there is no misuse of the official machinery and the blatant violation of the Model Code of Conduct is put a halt to." "I wish to emphasise that immediate action needs to be taken if the polls are not to be vitiated in Madurai," Karat said.
In an attached note, the party listed the complaints already made to the election authorities in Tamil Nadu.
These relate to alleged distribution of consumer goods to voters by DMK, bulk inclusion in the voters' list, distribution of cash, sarees to voters and self-help groups, places of worship being used for campaign, "murderous attacks" against CPI(M) workers and "misuse" of official position by state government officers posted in Madurai.
