Crushing defeat for H Raja in TN Scouts election

According to officials, before the polls the supporters of Raja had an argument with the returning officer Kalavathi and other polling officers in Chennai headquarters, Kamarajar Salai. They wanted the election to be conducted on September 26. 

They claimed that the election was being held hastily to ensure that no one approached the court to get a stay order on the polls. But Kalavathi directed polling staff to go ahead with the election. 

“Elections were held for 12 posts, of which eight posts were unanimous. Elections for remaining four posts — president, vice president, leader trainers (LT) and district commissioner for scouts — were held. 

Current vice-president and former school education director Mani and BJP’s national secretary Raja had contested for the president’s post,” said Kalavathi. “While 286 people voted, Mani go 232 votes, Raja 52 votes and two votes were declared invalid,” she said. 

Speaking to media, Raja said, “Though the national headquarters directed the state unit to postpone the election, the returning officer went ahead with it and I will continue my protest.” DMK working president MK Stalin had a few days ago accused the ruling AIADMK of trying to get Raja elected as president of TN Bharat Scouts and Guides.