Was Money Given in White or Black? Chidambaram on RK Nagar Bypolls

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

After the Election Commission cancelled the bypolls in Chennai’s RK Nagar over findings of money being exchanged for votes, Congress MP P Chidambram reacted to the corruption and PM Narendra Modi’s demonetisation drive in a masterstroke.

Earlier, the elections were to be held on Wednesday, 12 April.

According to the documents seized by the I-T officials during their raids in Chennai on Friday and published by some media houses, the price of one vote in the bypoll-bound RK Nagar constituency was Rs 4,000 as TV channels reported.

The raids were conducted at the residence of Health Minister C Vijayabaskar and his relatives, after reports of cash being distributed for votes.

The elections are necessary as the RK Nagar seat was the constituency of former chief minister Jayalalithaa and it became vacant after her death. The bypolls’ stakes are high as the result will be a vindication of sorts for the two rival factions of the AIADMK.

Vijaya Baskar is to appear before the I-T authorities in court on Monday in connection with the raid.

Also Read: Cash for Votes? EC Cancels Chennai’s RK Nagar Bypolls

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