Probe on into reports of cash distribution to scribes

Election authorities here have initiated a suo motu inquiry into reports that cash was allegedly given to mediapersons in the presence of a Tamil Nadu Minister at the AIADMK office here, officials said.
Assistant Returning Officer P Menaka has been ordered to probe the allegation that Rs 1,000 each was given to scribes in the presence of Higher Education Minister, P Palaniappan yesterday and submit a report at the earliest, District Election Officer cum Collector, K Vivekanandan told PTI today.
Palaniappan, in-charge of party's electioneering in Dharmapuri Lok Sabha constituency, rejected the charge, saying no cash was distributed to the mediapersons and no notice had been served on him or the party by election authorities in this regard.

Vivekanandan said video clippings and the CCTV footage at AIADMK party headquarters here would be scrutinised to verify the reports about cash distribution and whether there was any violation of Model Code of Conduct. Based on the official report, further action would be initiated.
Palaniappan said no press conference was conducted yesterday and only those reporters who had gathered at the party office were briefed about the tour programme of party supremo and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, set to campaign here April 17.
"There was no distribution of cash to presspersons... No notice has been served by the Election Department in this regard," he said.

Palaniappan is the second state minister to face charges of violation of Model Code after Commercial Taxes and Registration Minister, M C Sampath, who was alleged to have paid money to some voters in Cuddalore District recently.