DMK’s Stalin caught on tape bribing voters

The AIADMK has accused local administration minister Mu Ka Stalin of bribing voters with cash in the Thirumangalam by-election in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district. TV channels aired a tape showing Stalin distributing money (with shawls) “while campaigning”.

DMK sources, however, dismissed the charges saying that the undated tapes were being aired by the Opposition to tarnish the image of the ruling party. The by-election is scheduled for January 9.

“The Election Commission has issued a notice to the DMK asking the party to explain the situation as it is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct and an offence under the ‘Representation of the People Act’. We have also issued a similar notice to the AIADMK on a case related to December 28, 2008,” Tamil Nadu chief electoral officer Naresh Gupta told DNA.

AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa, who is campaigning in Thirumangalam, said, “It’s not surprising to hear that Stalin and other DMK ministers have been caught giving money to voters. This is how cheap the DMK can get. They give money to win an election.”
DMK sources, however, said, “The tape is an old one and was recorded during a party rally. We are surprised that the Opposition is using such low tactics to tarnish our image.”

Ironically, it was the DMK which had first made allegations against AIADMK, saying that the party was wooing voters with money. In fact, the DMK even submitted a petition on behalf of its candidate Latha Adhiyaman to deputy election commissioner JP Prakash citing a specific instance of AIADMK bribing a voter.