AIADMK Files Complaint Against DMK MLA Over SUV Gifts in Trichy
The IT wing of the AIADMK's Trichy North district unit has formally lodged a complaint with District Election Officer and Collector V Saravanan, alleging serious violations of the Model Code of Conduct by sitting DMK MLA S Kathiravan of Manachanallur.
Allegations of Vehicle Gifts to Party Functionaries
According to the complaint filed on Thursday, MLA Kathiravan has gifted seven brand new SUVs to his party functionaries. The opposition party has characterized these gifts as a deliberate attempt to influence voters in the Manachanallur constituency ahead of upcoming elections.
"All the seven individuals are DMK's union and town panchayat secretaries. Even before announcing the candidate, DMK MLA is gifting high-end cars, and if he was officially named as the party's candidate for Manachanallur, Kathiravan may go to an extent of distributing similar gifts to voters," stated P Nagarajan, district secretary of the AIADMK IT wing for Trichy North.
Social Media Posts Spark Controversy
The controversy emerged after MLA Kathiravan posted on his official Facebook page on March 16 and 17. In these posts, he claimed that his father, A Srinivasan, chairman of the Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan group of educational institutions, had gifted seven new SUVs to seven individuals.
The AIADMK has demanded that the Election Commission of India take immediate action against the MLA for what they describe as clear violations of election conduct rules. They have specifically requested that the cost of the seven SUVs, valued at over 70 lakh rupees, be included in the expenditure details of the DMK MLA if he is announced as a candidate.
MLA's Defense and Counter-Claims
MLA Kathiravan has strongly refuted all allegations, offering a different explanation for the vehicle distribution. "Neither myself nor my father sponsored new SUVs. A Chennai based pharmaceutical company gifted cars which includes a few people outside the party as well. My father was only invited as a chief guest to hand over keys. Nobody can buy seven new cars immediately. These vehicles were booked even before MCC came into effect," Kathiravan told reporters.
He emphasized that the vehicles were not purchased specifically for election purposes and that the bookings were made prior to the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct.
Election Department's Response
The election department has confirmed receipt of the AIADMK's complaint. "We will ask the MLA to respond to the allegations," stated N Shiva, the returning officer for the Manachanallur constituency.
The complaint now puts the spotlight on election authorities to investigate whether there has been any breach of conduct rules. The Model Code of Conduct strictly prohibits any activity that could be construed as attempting to influence voters through gifts or favors.
This development comes at a sensitive time in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, where both major parties are preparing for upcoming electoral battles. The outcome of this complaint could have significant implications for how election conduct is monitored and enforced in the region.
