Cash distribution ahead of R.K. Nagar by-polls exposes 'deep-rooted corruption': NCP

Expressing concern over the use of money power in the elections, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Majeed Memon on  10 April said the manner in which cash was distributed ahead of the by-polls in Chennai's R.K. Nagar assembly exposes the deep-rooted corruption is in the country.

Mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's 'fight against corruption', he said, "We have been listening from the last three years that the BJP is fighting against black money, but if the money recovered in R.K. Nagar is not black money then what is it."

"The Prime Minister and Finance Minister have been claiming that they have ceased all black money after demonetisation then is the money found in R.K. Nagar 'golden money' or what?" asked Memon.

The Election Commission on Sunday cancelled the R.K. Nagar by-elections after cash-for-votes allegations surfaced.

The elections were earlier scheduled to be held on Wednesday.

The Election Commission said that the by-elections shall be held by the poll panel in due course when the vitiating effect created by the distribution of money and gift items to allure the electors gets removed with the passage of time and the atmosphere in the constituency becomes conducive to the holding of free and fair elections.

The decision came after Income Tax raids in Chennai found that money was distributed to the voters.

The Income Tax officials raided the residence and business premises of Tamil Nadu Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar besides conducting searches at the premises of some AIADMK functionaries and government officials.

The by-elections in R.K. Nagar became necessary after the death of former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa, who represented the constituency for two terms.

-ANI