Chennai: Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) will not refund the fee collected from party members who applied to contest the election, according to a report. The party is said to have informed aspirants that the amount has already been moved to its party development fund.
Ahead of the election, MNM had invited applications from members interested in contesting. Applicants were asked to pay Rs 50,000 each as a fee, and more than 60 people across Tamil Nadu submitted applications along with the payment.
However, after MNM decided not to contest the election, those who had applied sought the return of the fee. The report said the party declined, stating that around Rs 30 lakh collected from about 60 applicants had been credited to party funds.
The development has reportedly caused disappointment among party functionaries. The report also noted that MNM leader Kamal Haasan received a Rajya Sabha seat, and that the party did not enter the election fray.
