Erode bypolls: ‘Overt abuse of power’ by DMK government, BJP writes to EC

Ahead of the Erode East bypolls, Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief K Annamalai on Tuesday wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner of India against “blatant abuse of power” by the ruling DMK government in the state and sought to ensure a free and fair election in the assembly constituency.
After the sudden demise of the Member of the Legislative Assembly from Erode East, the Election Commission announced the date for the by-election for this constituency. Annamalai claimed that despite being in power for 22 months, the DMK government has done nothing to improve the state and is relying on money to win this by-election. “On January 29, 2023, we released an audio clip of DMK Minister KN Nehru and the candidate of the DMK Alliance, EVKS Elangovan, discussing the money distribution, the modalities, the distribution center, and the deadline to get money distributed.” “Detailing the audio, senior leaders of the BJP in Tamil Nadu had submitted their apprehensions about the conduct of free and fair elections to the State Election Commissioner and requested immediate action against the DMK members for killing the spirit of democracy,” the Tamil Nadu BJP chief wrote.
On February 11, he stated that election officials and police officers seized tokens from the car of DMK South Union Treasurer Sarbudeen in Tirupur district after receiving information about money distribution in Erode East. Annamalai said the State Election Commission is yet to take action against the complaint submitted by the Tamil Nadu BJP and has done nothing significant to stop the ruling DMK government from the “blatant abuse of power.” “Sir, we humbly submit for immediate action to ensure a free and fair election in Eritrea,” he urged.
Earlier in January, the Election Commission announced a byelection to the Erode East constituency in Tamil Nadu on February 27. The counting of votes will be done on March 2.