An incident of currency notes being distributed during an election campaign for Congress’s Virudhnagar candidate for the Lok Sabha elections, Manickam Tagore, has stirred controversy. The distribution of cash was captured in a video clip that went viral on social media platforms on Wednesday, raising questions about electoral practices.
Confirming the authenticity of the video clip, Superintendent of Police BK Arvind from Madurai stated the incident occurred during an event for Manickam Tagore’s campaign in Virudhunagar. The clip showing cash being distributed to attendees has sparked concerns about unethical practices during election campaigns.
Earlier on Wednesday, Tagore addressed party supporters and locals during an election campaign in Madurai. Speaking about the Congress’s ‘Nyay Patra’ or manifesto for the seven-phased Lok Sabha elections, Tagore expressed enthusiasm about the response from the people. “There is tremendous energy among the people here at this event of ‘Mahalakshmi’. Our manifesto speaks about the people. The people are responding positively to our ‘Nyay Patra’,” he said.
Responding to Prime Minister Modi’s visits to Tamil Nadu, Tagore asserted that regardless of the PM’s visits, Tamil Nadu stands firmly with Chief Minister MK Stalin. “No matter how many times PM Modi visits our state, he will continue to be rejected by the Tamils. Tamil Nadu stands with CM MK Stalin, and his target of winning 40 out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state will be accomplished,” Tagore emphasized.
Tamil Nadu is set to vote for all 39 seats in the first phase of the general elections on April 19. In the 2019 general elections, the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, including Congress, VCK, MDMK, CPI, CPI(M), IUML, MMK, KMDK, TVK, and AIFB, secured a significant victory by winning 38 of the 39 seats in the state.
In the 2019 elections, DMK won 23 Lok Sabha seats with a 33.2% vote share, Congress secured 8 seats with a 12.9% vote share, and CPI won two seats in Tamil Nadu.
The upcoming election for 543 Lok Sabha seats in the country will be conducted in seven phases starting April 19, with the counting of votes scheduled for June 4. The incident of cash distribution during the Congress campaign highlights the scrutiny and attention on electoral practices as the nation gears up for the elections.
