Flying squads on alert as campaigning for civic polls enters last lap in Tiruchi
The Hindu
Allegations fly thick and fast on distribution of cash
As the campaign for the election to urban local bodies reached a feverish pitch, allegations of distribution of gifts in cash and in kind and booth slips to voters were reported in different parts of the city on Wednesday.
Acting on information that AMMK cadre were distributing cash to voters in Ward 4 in Thiruvanaikoil, a flying squad rushed to the spot. On noticing the arrival of the personnel, at least three persons fled the spot. However, the flying squad managed to get hold of two and handed them over to Srirangam police. The squad also seized ₹5,000 from them. It was said that the cadre distributed ₹200 each to a few voters belonging to Ward 4.
An official said that a case would be filed against them for distributing cash.
The election authorities are gearing up for the counting of votes cast in the simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, scheduled to be held on June 4. The Collectors and Election Officers of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) districts said on May 23 (Thursday) that their teams were ready for the counting of votes.
Responding to the prolonged water scarcity, the residents of the area took to the streets in protest on Wednesday. The protest, which drew attention to their plight, stopped only after the intervention of the police. It was not until 1.30 p.m. that a 4000-litre tanker was finally delivered by BWSSB, providing relief to the water-starved residents.