CHENNAI: AIADMK MP I S Inbadurai on Thursday accused the Tamil Nadu govt of denying permission for his party’s election campaign in Dharapuram, citing security concerns over TVK president and chief minister C Joseph Vijay’s campaign for the Oct 6 byelection. He alleged that police were arresting people who questioned the TVK candidates about switching camps after winning the assembly election.In a petition submitted to chief electoral officer Archana Patnaik, Inbadurai said permission granted to two AIADMK campaign programmes at Sooriyanallur and Nochippalayam in Dharapuram were cancelled at the last minute on Wednesday, citing Vijay’s campaign and the inability to provide security. The party has been denied permission for its final campaign in Dharapuram on Oct 4, he said.“We have no objection to the CM receiving additional security. But that cannot be a reason to deny permission to other political parties to campaign,” he told reporters after submitting the petition to the CEO. He asked how elections could be free and fair if the ruling party and opposition were treated differently.Inbadurai alleged that three senior AIADMK functionaries in Dharapuram had been arrested based on complaints and that the TVK govt was opposing their bail pleas.In Madurantakam, police had taken away and assaulted people who questioned the TVK candidate, he alleged. He said voters had the democratic right to question candidates, including those who had shifted parties after winning the assembly election.Inbadurai asked whether the law-and-order situation in the state had deteriorated to the extent that police could not provide security for opposition campaigns.He said Archana Patnaik had assured him that the complaints would be investigated and necessary permissions secured. He urged the ECI to ensure equal treatment for all parties.
