Thiruma seeks re-poll at Ponparappi booth

Meanwhile, VCK leader and DMK alliance’s candidate for Chidambaram LS constituency Thol Thirumavalvan demanded a re-poll in the particular booth at Ponparappi.

Speaking to reporters at Kumbakonam on Friday, Thirumavalavan said that the AIADMK-BJP alliance fearing defeat had unleashed the violence across the State. He alleged that the PMK men even captured the booth during the polling.

Referring to the alleged booth capturing attempts in northern districts and the violence that broke out subsequently in some places, Thirumavalavan said that Dalits were forcibly prevented from exercising their franchise at Ponparappi. Claiming that in places like Marathurai and Neelathanallur in Thanjavur district violence was unleashed against Dalits, he demanded strict action against those who indulged in violence including the incident at Ponparappi. He affirmed that a petition would be submitted to the Ariyalur district collector, who is also the presiding officer for Chidambaram parliamentary constituency, seeking a re-poll in the booth at Ponparappi.

Meanwhile, DMK president and Opposition leader M K Stalin in a statement, said, “The attack on Dalit hamlet was carried out for political mileage. The particular group has been practicing divisive politics and the Ponparappi incident had disturbed the people of the village who were living in harmony.”

Stalin also blamed the police for the attack. “Police should have taken steps to prevent the attack on Dalits in Ponparappi but they remained silent spectators to the incident. The attack shows the fear of defeat in election of ruling party alliance,” said Stalin.

Naam Tamilar Katchi leader Seeman also condemned the incident, saying, “Tamil community should come together forgetting their caste and religious differences. Such incidents are a threat to the tranquility in the state and it is highly disturbing that the incident happened in the native village of Tamil nationalist, Tamilarasan, who stood for the unity and liberation of Tamil society,” said Seeman.

DK leader K Veeramani blamed the PMK and Hindu Munnani for the incident. “Ponparappi violence should be seen as the continuation of communal clash in Dharmapuri. Veeramani also said that the PMK was involved in many poll-related violence, including in Keezh Visharam and Pappireddipatti in northern districts.