Chennai: On the second day of their stay in the city, the team of ECI officials comprising Election Commissioners Sushil Chandra and Ashok Lavasa, Director General (Expenditure) Dilip Sharma and Deputy Election Commissioners Dhirendhra Ojha and Sandeep Saxena, today met Income-Tax officials and election observers.
Following this, the team held discussions with Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan, DGP Rajendran and Home Secretary Niranjan Mardi and other senior officials regarding the huge amount of cash being seized during election time in the State.
Post the meeting, the ECI officials were expected to hold discussions with poll observers again. Sources said the huge amount of cash seized from places related to DMK Vellore Lok Sabha constituency candidate Kathir Anand and further action to be taken in the matter will be the major point of discussion.
The team which arrived in the city Tuesday, held an all-party meeting in the city yesterday, in view of the 18 April polls.
Representatives from all registered parties took part in the meeting during which the parties put forth several points for the consideration of the officials and also requested the poll body to hold the election in a free and fair manner.
Speaking to mediapersons after the meeting yesterday, senior AIADMK leader and Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar said they have asked the ECI to ensure that cash is not distributed to voters.
“The ECI must investigate about the Rs 32 crore which was seized in Vellore. If it is related to the DMK candidate, necessary action must be taken against him,” he said.
Similarly, Thirumalaiswamy who represented the BJP at the meeting said following the huge amount of cash seized from DMK treasurer Durai Murugan’s places, they have requested the ECI to disqualify Kathir Anand and take necessary action against the party as well.
DMK MP R S Bharathy said they have requested to change the police officers who are not discharging their duty correctly.