DMK wants district officials to be replaced

Charging that the Salem district administration was totally "under the control" of the ruling party in bypoll-bound Yercaud (SC) constituency, DMK today petitioned the Election Commission seeking replacement of the officials.

A memorandum submitted by DMK to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Praveen Kumar also sought EC's direction to Vazhappadi police for registering FIR against a state Minister, the AIADMK candidate P Saroja and some others.

The memorandum, signed by party's observer for the Yercaud bypoll Pon Muthuramalingam and senior leaders TKS Elangovan MP and VP Duraisamy, said a complaint had been filed against Highways Minister Edappadi Pazhanichami, Saroja, Salem MP S Semmalai, former MP C Ponnaiyan and some other senior functionaries alleging that they went in a convoy of 40 cars, "which is a blatant violation of Election Code of conduct."

It said Vazhappadi Police Inspector had said that he has to take the opinion of 'higher-ups' for filing an FIR and with DMK taking the matter up with EC, a receipt for the complaint was given.

No FIR had been lodged so far, it alleged.

"This once agains shows that the District administration and the police are totally under the control of the ruling party (AIADMK) and they have no intention of conducting a free and fair poll. They are totally biased in favour of the ruling party," it alleged.

It said the district administration "repeatedly" says that higher-ups' permission was required to act on every complaint made by DMK and that "we fail to understand after the date of notification of the elections, what is the role of Election Commission of India and who are the higher-ups."

"We once again reiterate that the entire district administration should be replaced, so that free and fair election is ensured in Yercaud assembly constituency."

"We also request you to instruct the Vazhappadi police to register the FIR against the Minister, AIADMK candidate and other senior leaders of the AIADMK," it said.

Bypoll to Yercaud constituency was necessitated following the death of AIADMK legislator Perumal. His wife Saroja is the party nominee while DMK has fielded V Maran.