Polls 2011: EC probing huge purchase of T-shirts in Tamil Nadu

The Election Commission is probing alleged purchase of nine lakh T-shirts costing more than Rs11 crore by ruling DMK from a single shop in Tirupur district of poll bound Tamil Nadu.

Income tax department sources said today the local election expenditure observers in the district have reported the purchase of the T-shirts, from a single shop, to the EC which led to searches by the department.

"The purchase of such a large amount of T-shirts in the poll season is a reason to worry. The I-T department has initiated action to ascertain if this was meant to lure the voters," a top I-T official said.

The EC is also expected to issue notices to the DMK to explain the purchase of these T-shirts, the official said.

The EC appointed flying squads and I-T teams recently seized more than Rs 5 crore, largest ever in the state, from the roof of an empty bus in Trichy.