"CEC has to intervene"
Karunanidhi has asked CEC to intervene and arrest TN minister Inbatamizhan for reportedly shooting at MDMK candidate from Sivakasi.
Condemning the reported attack on MDMK candidate Ravichandran in Sivakasi, DMK President M Karunanidhi on Monday sought the immediate intervention of the Election Commission in taking action against Tamil Nadu Minister Inbatamizhan.
In a telex message to Chief Election Commissioner, TS Krishnamurthy, the DMK chief said 'it is shocking to learn that the DPA candidate of Sivakasi, Ravichandran, sponsored by the MDMK, was shot at today by Inbathamizhan'.
Ravichandran had a 'very narrow' escape from the 'murderous attack' while he was going around his constituency inspecting the booths. The attack took place in front of the villagers of Venkatachalapuram, 'who would stand testimony to the entire episode', he said.
"I understand that no appreciable action has been taken by the state police to arrest the minister who attempted to murder the opposition candidate," Karunanidhi said pleading for immediate intervention.
He sent a copy of the telex message to the Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu.
The Secretary of the Tamil Nadu unit of the CPI(M), N Varadharajan, in a statement, condemned the incident and demanded not only the arrest of the minister, Inbatamizhan, but also his sacking from the AIADMK ministry.
He also demanded an enquiry into the omission and deletion of 'lakhs of voters' from the lists in several places in the state. "These deletions are pre-planned" as these deletions related to government employees, teachers and their family members, he added.
Election Commission should order an enquiry and take suitable action against the officials who erred.
