Erode: Congress party functionaries in Erode East held a protest at the Gandhi statue in Karungalpalayam, demanding a change in the party’s candidate, Gopinath.
District-level Congress office-bearers have been pressing the party leadership to replace him. On Friday morning around 10.15 am, more than 40 people gathered under the leadership of former South district president Makkalrajan, along with former president Ravi.
Election flying squad officials and police reached the spot and warned that the Model Code of Conduct was in force, and that garlanding the statue or submitting petitions required prior permission. They also cautioned that violations could lead to a case being registered.
Despite the warning, the group proceeded to garland the statue and made an appeal for a candidate change. Makkalrajan said the decision to give the Erode opportunity to a former Tiruppur district president had caused dissatisfaction, and that letters and emails had been sent to the party leadership.
He added that if the party refused to replace the candidate, they would field another person in opposition, and were also planning further protests to convey their sentiments. Later, Makkalrajan submitted a petition at the Erode East election office located in the municipal corporation premises, seeking permission for a protest.
