Alagiri denies bribing voters in Madurai

Former Union minister for Fertilizers MK Alagiri appeared before the Madras High Court in connection a petition challenging his election from Madurai Parliamentary constituency in 2009.
Alagiri denies bribing voters in Madurai

Former Union minister for Fertilizers MK Alagiri appeared before the Madras High Court on Friday in connection a petition challenging his election from Madurai Parliamentary constituency in 2009.

Deposing before Justice V Dhanapalan, Alagiri denied all the allegations of bribing voters and said he was not aware of the party affiliation of A Lazar, who has been permitted by the HC to substitute the original petitioner Mohan, who died during the pendency of the petition.

Admitting that party women cadre and the general public offered him welcome and ‘Aarthi’ at several villages during campaigning, he said he or his supporters did not pay money to anyone.

When asked about a list of persons who were described by the election petitioner as persons appointed as poll agents by Alagiri, the DMK Madurai strongman said he had not appointed any one of them.

“I appointed former minister Pon Muthuramalingam as chief agent,” he said. Alagiri also specifically denied the allegation that he had assigned the job of distributing Rs 500 each to his close aides and described as false the allegation that one DMK man was put in charge of 50 voters in his constituency.

The deposition might continue on Monday or Tuesday. Counsel for Lazar, however, said it could be resumed after the court’s summer vacation. He also sought a week’s time after the completion of Alagiri’s deposition, to commence cross-examination of Alagiri.

The judge then adjourned the case to June 7, when it would be heard on a daily basis. “I want to conduct it as per the Supreme Court directions and complete it expeditiously,” the judge added.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com