A dharna is held at the collectorate by AIADMK candidate and cadre, who want the elections in UT to be rigged

On Wednesday, AIADMK officials headed by the party’s State Secretary A Anbalagan and candidate Tamizhvendan staged a dharna before the collectorate, alleging distribution of cash to votes in favor of BJP and Congress candidates. The officials called for the countermanding of the Puducherry assembly constituency elections, even threatening to boycott them according to Tamizhvendan.

Anbalagan said that the Congress candidate received Rs 200 each voter while the BJP candidate received Rs 500 per voter. Despite their concerns to the returning officer and their appeal to the Indian Election Commission, he said, the authorities have not yet acted.The government and the police support BJP candidate A Namassivayan since he is the home minister, according to Anbalagan, who had previously called for Namassivayam’s resignation.

“Postal ballots meant for those above 85 years of age and Persons with Disabilities are being cast in favour of the BJP candidate following the cash distribution,” he said, claiming that the government was silent. After a conversation with the party officials, Returning Officer A Kulothungan withdrew the dharna.