AIADMK candidate Amman Arjunan staged a dharna at the Coimbatore Collectorate on Tuesday, demanding that the election in the Coimbatore South constituency be stopped.
He alleged that cash was being distributed to voters across constituencies in Coimbatore district, claiming Rs 2,000 per voter in seats contested by the DMK and Rs 1,500 in seats contested by its allies.
Opposition parties have also alleged that in Coimbatore South—where former minister Senthil Balaji is contesting—money is being offered at Rs 5,000 per vote. Arjunan said he had already submitted a complaint to the district election officer, alleging that DMK members and people from Karur were involved in distributing cash.
At the protest, Arjunan accused election authorities of failing to act on the complaint and of showing a lax approach. Police held talks to persuade him to withdraw the sit-in, but he refused.
With polling scheduled for Wednesday, the protest at the Collectorate led to a tense and charged atmosphere in the area.
