Despite the Model Code of Conduct being in force, officials from the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board met former minister V Senthil Balaji days ago. In another instance, a group of bureaucrats is said to have called on minister S S Sivasankar, presenting him a shawl and bouquet. Sources said the officials also conveyed their wishes to the candidates, potentially breaching poll norms. The meetings have sparked chatter within the power sector. However, there is no official word on the officials involved or the specifics. Authorities have yet to respond to the issue
S Guruvamikanathan
Comedy of errors
Coimbatore witnessed a curious campaign mix-up as youths hired by DMK workers to distribute pamphlets ended up canvassing for rivals. Even while handing out leaflets detailing the DMK candidate, constituency and manifesto, the youths, said to be supporters of NTK, urged voters to back NTK nominees instead. The contradictory pitch left many surprised and amused in equal measure. A video of the episode has since gone viral, triggering chatter over campaign oversight and messaging gone awry
Thinakaran Rajamani