CPI seeks removal of ‘outside leaders’ camping in Thattanchavady for bypoll

The Communist Party of India (CPI) has requested the Puducherry District Collector to prevent former Ministers, legislators, and sitting MLAs from the neighbouring districts of Villupuram and Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu from “exerting pressure” on the voters of Thattanchavady ahead of the bypoll to the constituency.

In a petition to the District Collector, party local unit secretary and CPI candidate for the Thattanchavady bypoll A.M. Saleem said numerous leaders from Tamil Nadu, under the guise of campaigning for the DMK candidate, were camping in the constituency.

“Beyond usual election work, we were informed that these leaders were distributing gifts and cash to voters. Their stay was causing inconvenience to the public. The CPI wants the District Collector to immediately intervene and remove outsiders from camping in the constituency,” the petition said.

The party also urged the Collector to prevent the DMK and Congress workers from using the portrait of CPI founding leader V. Subbiah in their campaigns. “It is against the political ethics of the Congress party and the DMK to use Mr. Subbiah’s portrait during election campaign,” the memorandum said.