"What purpose does MCC serve after poll?" Chidambaram on extended restrictions for Tamil Nadu
Apr 19, 2024
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 19 : Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram expressed strong dissatisfaction with the continuation of restrictions under the Model Code of Conduct in Tamil Nadu till June 4, after voting concluded in the state on Friday.
"The continuation of the restrictions under Model Code of Conduct (MCC) after today's polling in TN is absurd and a violation of the rights of citizens What purpose does the MCC serve after the poll?" Chidambaram said in a post on 'X'.
The Rajya Sabha MP further suggested that if there is any reason for the continuation of restrictions under MCC, it should be limited to seven days.
"If there is any mysterious purpose, the ECI may continue MCC for about 7 days after the poll. By why until June 4?" Chidambaram said.
On the concerns of traders and businessmen in Tamil Nadu for prolonged imposition of MCC in the state, Chidambaram said, "The CEO, TN must listen to the grievances of traders and business persons and relax the restrictions considerably on private citizens."
In Tamil Nadu, where all 39 Lok Sabha seats went to polls, the voter turnout was 65.27 per cent.
Voting was conducted in 102 seats in the first phase of the Lok Sabha election and the counting of votes will be held on June 4.
The state witnessed a three-cornered contest involving the DMK, the ruling party in the state, the principal Opposition AIADMK, and the BJP, which is seen as a resurgent force going into the elections.
The DMK frontlines the INDIA bloc in the state, also comprising the Congress, Left parties, IUML, VCK, actor-politician Kamal Haasan's MNM, Vaiko's MDMK, and the Gounder community-based KMDK.
The AIADMK, which severed ties with the BJP-led NDA earlier, is leading an alliance of minor parties, including the DMDK, Puthiya Tamilagam (PT) and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI).
In the 2019 elections, the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance swept the South state, winning 38 of the 39 seats.
