Minister Duriamurugan’s vehicle inspected by election squad in Vellore

The Election Flying Squad, deployed to operate at Ponnai junction at Vellore on Anaicut Main Road, on Wednesday searched the vehicle in which Water Resources Minister and DMK general secretary Duraimurugan was heading towards Anaicut for the party’s election campaign.

Election officials said Mr Duraimurugan’s vehicle was stopped at Ponnai junction around 10.30am by the team deployed for election vehicle checking duty. The minister was said to be accompanied by his son and Vellore MP DM Kathir Anand and Arakkonam DMK MP S. Jagathrakshakan.

The election team got into the vehicle and checked the dashboard as well as the Minister’s luggage. In a related development, Katpadi police arrested eight persons, including Minister Mr Duraimurugan and Vellore MP Mr Kathir Anand, for violating Model Code of Conduct (MCC) guidelines as part of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Police said a violation took place near Katpadi railway station on Monday when the Minister was arriving by train from Chennai. As per norms, the Election Commission had allowed it to adorn the statues of Periyar, former Chief Minister and DMK stalwart CN Annadurai and Ambedkar.

However, police said local DMK organizers organized a parade between the railway station and Chittoor bus stand, in which the Minister and other officials participated. Police said the march was not allowed. A lawsuit was filed after the incident. An investigation is ongoing.