Government delaying civic polls due to fear of defeat: DMK

Talking to media persons before leaving for Coimbatore, Stalin referred to the State Election Commission’s (SEC) submission in the Madras High Court on Monday and said, “The SEC’s hesitation to conduct the civic polls just mirrors the fear of defeat of the ruling AIADMK (Amma) group. The High Court has rightly condemned the same.” 

The SEC on Monday sought more time from the High Court to conduct the civic polls, citing ongoing electoral roll preparation. However, the court had cautioned the commission that it would face contempt if it failed to meet the May 14 deadline. 

On the continuing farmers’ protest in New Delhi, the DMK working president suggested that Chief Minister K Palanisamy should travel to the national capital, meet the Prime Minister and find a solution to the agrarian crisis. 

In Coimbatore, Stalin accusing the BJP-led Central Government of neglecting Tamil Nadu’s interests, alleged that it had failed to turn its attention to the woes of farmers agitating in the national capital for over 20 days. “Despite suicides of nearly 250 farmers in Tamil Nadu, the (Narendra) Modi government is not interested in solving serious problems being faced by the agitating farmers,” he told reporters at the airport here. 

The Leader of the Opposition was here to offer his condolences to the family of former union minister and senior DMK leader M Kannappan at Pollachi following the demise of the latter’s wife Sivakamiammal. 

On RK Nagar by-election, the DMK working president said that however hard both the AIADMK groups may try, they would lose their deposits. Stalin further said that the strict action by the Election Commission has made it difficult for the parties to distribute cash to the voters in RK Nagar. “This is a positive sign. It should continue,” he added. 

He welcomed the EC’s decision to transfer the officials and expressed hope that such actions should continue till the election process gets over in RK Nagar by-poll. 

Expressing satisfaction at election commission’s functioning in RK Nagar, the Leader of Opposition alleged that the ruling party was splashing money and gifts on voters and the ECI had taken cognizance of their complaints and shunted out a few officials. Welcoming the ECI’s decision to transfer the officials, Stalin said the action should continue till the election process ends in RK Nagar.