Thanjavur: It seems like no lessons were learnt when the Election Commission countermanded the April 16 Assembly polls to Thanjavur constituency on the charge of cash distribution to voters, and other malpractices indulged by AIADMK and DMK candidates.

The two Dravidian parties are undeterred. They have fielded the same candidates—M Rangasamy for AIADMK and Dr Anjugam Boopathy for the DMK—for the November 19 elections to Thanjavur constituency, and still continue to distribute cash to voters.

Today, two DMK activists and an AIADMK activist were caught red-handed while distributing cash to voters in two different areas in Thanjavur constituency, and a total of Rs 5.96 lakh was seized from the trio by flying squad officials.

Flying squad officials, led by LIC development officer Kannan, rushed to Kurichi street in Keezhavasal area, on a tip off that DMK activists are distributing cash to voters. On seeing the squad, the four DMK activists attempted to flee. The officials managed to catch two of them, identified as M Balasubramanian, 40, resident of Mettu street in Perambalur, and Chakravarthi 61, resident of Kalikurichi in Udayarpalayam taluk in Ariyalur district and seized Rs 44,000 and Rs 41,000 from them. However, two others managed to escape after hurling away Rs 2.21lakh in cash. Thanjavur East Police registered a case and arrested the duo.

In another incident, a flying squad led by LIC development officer Rajendran, caught AIADMK activist Thiruchelvam, 45, resident of EB Colony, Kalyanasundaram Nagar in Thanjavur, also was distributing cash to voters. The flying squad seized Rs 2.90 lakh from him. Tamil University police registered a case and arrested Thiruchelvam.