Minister Duriamurugan’s vehicle inspected by election squad in Vellore

Election squad inspects Minister Duraimurugan's vehicle in Vellore amid ongoing campaign, following violation of election guidelines.

The Election Flying Squad posted for duty at Ponnai junction in Vellore on the Anaicut Main Road searched the vehicle in which Minister for Water Resources and DMK general secretary Duraimurugan was proceeding to Anaicut for the party’s election campaign, on Wednesday.

Election officials said that Mr. Duraimurugan’s vehicle was intercepted by the team posted for election vehicle-checking duty at Ponnai junction on the stretch at around 10.30 a.m. The Minister was said to have been accompanied by his son and Vellore MP D.M. Kathir Anand and Arakkonam DMK MP S. Jagathrakshakan.

The election team boarded the vehicle and checked the baggage of the Minister, as well as the dashboard. In a related development, Katpadi police booked eight persons, including Minister Mr. Duraimurugan and Vellore MP Mr. Kathir Anand for violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) guidelines as part of Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

The police said that a violation had occurred near Katpadi railway station on Monday when the Minister had arrived from Chennai by train. As per norms, the Election Commission had granted permission for him to garland statues of Periyar, former Chief Minister and DMK stalwalt C.N. Annadurai, and Ambedkar.

However, the police said that local DMK organisers conducted a procession between the railway station and Chittoor bus stand where the Minister and other functionaries participated. The police said permission for the procession was not granted. Following the incident, a case was registered. A probe is under way.