EC team conducts searches at Tuticorin hotel

Raids were carried out at a hotel, where DMK Chief M K Stalin is scheduled to stay near here Tuesday, following reports of alleged money distribution to voters in the Ottapidaram assembly constituency, district officials said.

Election Commission's flying squad searched cars of DMK functionaries apart from hotel rooms during the raid, which continued for one hour, they said.

The Ottapidaram consituency in-charge K N Nehru was also staying in the same hotel.

According to officials, Stalin is scheduled to campaign in support of party candidate Shanmugaiah, contesting in by-poll to Ottapidaram assembly constituency.

The Election Commission had announced bypolls to four assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu on May 19, which is the last phase of polling in the Lok Sabha election.

The four vacant constituencies are -- Sulur, Aravakurichi, Thirupparankundram and Ottapidaram (SC).