The BJP candidate from Coimbatore South, Vanathi Srinivasan today accused the Returning Officer (RO) and her subordinate of utilising their vehicles to carry cash to be handed over to AIADMK functionaries in the constituency.

In a complaint to the poll observer, Jyoti Kailash, Vanathi said that the District Collector has directed the RO to return the vehicles after coming to know that the vehicles were misused.

Despite complaints that the AIADMK functionaries were distributing money at various places like Siddhapudur, Puliyakulam, Gandhipuram 6th Street, the officials were slow in reaching the places.

Without naming the RO, Vanathi accused the officer of clandestinely helping the ruling party persons distribute cash, and that, in few places, the AIADMK functionaries were accompanying the officials who were distributing booth slips. She alleged that the complaints to the police were being ignored.

“I strongly fear that, if the RO of 120 Coimbatore South Constituency is allowed to function as Returning Officer, there may not be free and fair elections,” she said in the complaint. A copy of the complaint, marked to Chief Electoral Officer, Rajesh Lakhani, was released to the media.

Vanathi has requested the observer to conduct discreet inquiry, and take suitable action if the complaint is found to be true.