MOST URGENT
Date : 28.12.2020
To,
1. The Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India, New Delhi.
2. The Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai – 600 009.
Sirs,
1. Publicity has become menace to the democracy at the hands of the ruling AIADMK party in the State of Tamil Nadu ahead of Assembly General Election -2021. Wherever and whenever it is possible, the party-in-power abuses and misuses their power for their personal gain and to influence the voters.
2. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, for obvious reasons with hidden agenda, hurriedly announced ‘Free Pongal Gift’ Scheme to all Family-Card Holders in the State of Tamil Nadu. ‘Pongal Gift’ includes payment of cash Rs.2,500/- to each Card holders among other materials, such as 1 Kg Raw-Rice and 1 Kg Sugar etc. There are totally 2.6 Crores Ration-Rice Card Holders in the State of Tamil Nadu, who would receive the Pongal Gift.
3. Pongal Gift Cash is being disbursed from the Government Fund, not from the fund of ruling party or from the pocket of Chief Minister or Ministers. But, the manner and the pattern, in which the tokens are being issued to the public show, as if the ‘Pongal Gift’ is being given by the ruling AIADMK Party, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and Ministers of respective areas. The name of Mr.Edappady K.Palanisamy is printed in AIADMK’s tricolour, his photo is printed and for example the name of Mr. S.P.Velumani, Minister for Local Administration is also printed in the tokens. Likewise, in the entire State of Tamil Nadu, these types of tokens are being distributed to the public, by the office-bearers of ruling AIADMK party, as if they are only making the payment of Pongal Gift Cash.
4. DMK does not oppose the scheme, as it is necessary to support the public, as a Welfare State, in the prevailing pandemic situation and also due to Cyclone. In fact, our party’s President Thiru.M.K.Stalin demanded the Government to pay Rs.5,000/- to each family much earlier. Without even heeding his demand and kept quiet for many months, the Chief Minister now announced Rs.2,500/- cash payment to Family Card Holders and inaugurated the scheme on 20.12.2020, in the midst of his election campaign, which itself shows his real intention of announcing the Free Pongal Gift.
5. Though the Model Code of Conduct is yet to be enforced ahead of Tamil Nadu State Assembly General Election, it is not proper for the ruling party to issue Pongal Free Gift Tokens with the identity of ruling AIADMK party, such as photo of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and the names of respective Ministers, as it would affect ‘level playing field’, which is the basic concept of fair election to ensure democracy.
Therefore, DMK requests your authority to forthwith issue appropriate instructions to the Government of Tamil Nadu to refrain from issuing tokens for distribution of ‘Free Pongal Gift’ with the name and photo of Mr.Edappady Palanisamy, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu or any other ministers and ensure that it is the Pongal Gift of the Government of Tamil Nadu only, not by the Ruling AIADMK party.
Pongal Gift Tokens being issued by the ruling party with photographs are attached for your reference.
Yours Sincerely,
Sd. XX XX XX
(R.S. BHARATHI, M.P.,)
Organisation Secretary, D.M.K.
-கே.பி.சுகுமார்.
UTL MEDIA TEAM
ullatchithagaval@gmail.com