CHENNAI: There seems to be no dearth of twists and turns to the RK Nagar by-election drama. Having faced some interesting turns during the days of filing of nomination papers, the constituency, which has been grabbing much limelight, on Saturday witnessed Returning Officer K Velusamy shifted.
With just 11 days to go for polling on Dec 21, the Election Commission replaced him with Praveen P Nair, who is expected to take charge on Sunday. Incidentally, during the April 12 bypoll to the constituency which was countermanded at the eleventh hour, the then Returning Officer, TN Padmaja Devi, was shifted and Praveen P Nair appointed.
A communication from the Election Communication to Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni on Friday night said Praveen P Nair had been chosen from a panel of IAS officers sent by the State government. Meanwhile, official sources said, “Within a day or two, the EC is all set to roll out stringent measures to curb distribution of money and other allurements.
The measure could be the first-of-its-kind in the country.” Political parties have already started levelling charges that money distribution had begun in RK Nagar constituency and sought foolproof methods to check the same. Meanwhile, BJP State president Tamilisai Soundararajan, party candidate for RK Nagar byelection Karu Nagarajan and other functionaries staged a road blockade in New Washermenpet, demanding action against the AIADMK and DMK candidates for trying to distributing money to voters. Tamilisai said that around 10,000 people from other districts, including Thanjavur, had come to RK Nagar despite the Election Commission warning against entry of outsiders.
The number of vehicles entering RK Nagar constituency without permission are also on the rise. “So, the election process in this constituency is not happening in a fair manner. We will not move from this place until the election officials come here. Money distribution process is going on unabated here. “If the Election Commission cannot conduct the election in a fair manner, let them admit it and wind up the process,” she said. However, after 25 minutes of road blockade, they dispersed after learning about the replacement of the Returning Officer. Later, they met an election official and lodged a complaint. Meanwhile, Chief Electoral Officer Lakhoni, senior officials and election observers chaired a meeting of flying squads and other personnel and discussed the arrangements for the by-election.
Rs 2 lakh unaccounted cash seized from car
The election officials in RK Nagar on Saturday seized `2 lakh unaccounted cash from a car. They found the cash while checking the car on the Kannan roundabout check-point. Meanwhile, Chief Electoral Officer Lakhoni, senior officials and election observers chaired a meeting of flying squads and other personnel