Election Authorities Seize Silver Utensils Featuring Party Leaders in Tamil Nadu
In a significant development ahead of the elections, election flying squads have confiscated silver utensils adorned with images of political leaders in Namakkal and Coimbatore districts, sparking alarms over potential voter bribery attempts. The seizures, which occurred since Monday night, involve items linked to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), highlighting intensified surveillance efforts by authorities.
Namakkal District Seizure: TVK-Linked Utensils Found in Govt Apartment
In Namakkal district, nearly 250 silver utensils were discovered in an unallotted government apartment near Tiruchengode on Monday night. Acting on a tip-off about gift items being stored for public distribution, officials from the election flying squad, assisted by police, conducted a search at Varakoorampatty village. The utensils, packed in four bundles, featured stickers with photos of TVK leaders Vijay and Arunraj. Arunraj is widely regarded as the probable TVK candidate for the Tiruchengode assembly constituency.
Tiruchengode revenue divisional officer Lenin confirmed the seizure, stating that the items were found in Block A of the village. He noted that a tailoring training school, approved by the Tamil Nadu government, was operating at the location where the utensils were stored. This incident underscores the vigilance of election officials in curbing illicit activities during the poll season.
Coimbatore District Raid: DMK Leader Images on Seized Utensils
Meanwhile, in Coimbatore district, a flying squad team raided a welding workshop in Cheran Nagar on Tuesday, uncovering 98 large utensils packed in bags. These bags prominently displayed images of Chief Minister M K Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, former minister V Senthil Balaji, and DMK district secretary Durai Senthamil Selvan. The materials were immediately seized and handed over to the returning officer for the Coimbatore South assembly constituency, reflecting a crackdown on possible inducements to voters.
Cash Seizures Across Tamil Nadu Intensify Election Vigilance
In addition to the utensil seizures, election authorities have ramped up vehicle checks across Coimbatore district, leading to multiple cash confiscations. On Brookebond Road, officials intercepted a goods auto and found unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 6.59 lakh. The driver, Rasheed, claimed the money was intended for purchasing chocolates for sale in Kerala but failed to provide supporting documents, resulting in the seizure and transfer of the cash to the central zone assistant commissioner.
Further incidents included seizures of Rs 1.20 lakh from a motorist at Pooluvapatti and Rs 2 lakh at Saibaba Colony. In the Pollachi assembly constituency, flying squad and static surveillance teams jointly confiscated Rs 10.88 lakh in eight separate incidents between March 15 and 17. Additionally, a vehicle inspection in Hosur led to the seizure of Rs 41.5 lakh after the carrier could not produce valid documentation.
These actions demonstrate the comprehensive efforts by election enforcement teams to maintain integrity and fairness in the electoral process, with officials remaining on high alert for any violations.
