EC asked to name cops who distributed cash to voters

 Referring to the counter-affidavit filed by the EC in the Madras High Court yesterday that it had received information that police jeeps were being used to distribute money, CPI(M) Tamil Nadu Unit secretary Ramakrishnan said the EC should come out with details about the seizure made, and who were all responsible for the same.

He said people were entitled to know who were responsible for transporting the cash for the voters. “It should not be a secret. It should be made public,” he said.

Referring to Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's charge that the EC had imposed “excessive restrictions” in the run up to the Assembly elections, the CPI(M) leader said the DMK chief was trying to counter the tide against the government through his “intimidatory comments” against the EC.

The EC was checking vehicles and seizing money as part of its duty, he said, adding it should intensify the searches and ensure a free and fair election. Ramakrishan said he was confident that distributing money to voters would not work in the elections as the people had been badly affected by the powercut, steep rise in the prices of essential commodities and "total breakdown of law and order."

The closure of dyeing and bleaching units in Tiruppur and the stagnation in farm sector would also work against the government, he said. Reacting to the CM's claim that DMK would  form the government independently, he said: “How can the DMK, which is contesting in 119 seats, expect to get full majority?”