RK Nagar bypoll: Will this decide Jayalalithaa's successor?
Campaigning for the crucial bypoll in Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar (RK Nagar) constituency has ceased. Jayalalithaa's death in December'16 had necessitated the bypoll. This has turned into a crucial three-way prestige battle between the ruling AIADMK, TTV Dhinakaran-AIADMK faction and opposition DMK. The campaign was marred by controversy as parties tried to upstage one another. We give you a low-down of the campaign.
Why was the bypoll cancelled in April?
In April, a cash-for-votes scandal had erupted. The bypoll was cancelled after I-T sleuths searched the properties of TN health minister C Vijayabhaskar. Officials discovered that Rs. 89cr was routed for "distribution to voters" in RK Nagar. However, no action was taken against those guilty.
Now, what are the latest accusations?
Now, there have been some shocking claims. It has been alleged that AIADMK and Dhinakaran are spending Rs. 6,000 per voter and DMK is spending Rs. 2,000 per voter. Further, Dhinakaran has distributed pressure cookers worth Rs. 1.5cr to voters and Rs. 300/day for 10 days to those who attend rallies. Some men were also caught distributing biryanis with Rs. 2,000 bills.
What steps is the EC taking to ensure fair elections?
As expected, the political scenario is quite heated up. EC has already seized about Rs. 30L. They have deployed nine observers, highest ever for an election in a constituency. Reportedly, this election will cost EC Rs. 3cr, 400% more than what it normally costs them. This is because 2,500 security personnel, 200 surveillance cameras, 75 flying-squad teams and 21 static-surveillance teams have been deployed.
But, why is this bypoll so crucial?
About 59 candidates are contesting this bypoll, including AIADMK's Madhusudhanan, DMK's Maruthuganesh and Dhinakaran. For AIADMK, this bypoll is a litmus test for its performance since Jayalalithaa's death. For Dhinakaran, who is contesting as an independent, he needs to prove that Sasikala brigade is Jayalalithaa's true successor. The entire opposition, which aims to unseat AIADMK, including Congress, MDMK, Left and DMK have backed Maruthuganesh.
