AIADMK demands apology

AIADMK's Pondicherry unit on Tuesday demanded an apology from Assistant Returning Officer, G Ragesh Chandran for alleged "derogatory" remarks against the party secretary on April 7 with regard to display of banners and flags and said they would hold a demonstration before the election department office here soon.

Party secretary A Anbalagan told reporters here he had already stated that the banners and flags had been put up on the route through which Chief Minister Jayalalithaa travelled on that date, only after getting permission from the PWD.

Anbalagan said he had gone ahead with the arrangements as he had not received any letter from the PWD. But the ARO, while rebutting his claim in a letter, had used 'derogatory' remarks. Cases had also been filed against him and some partymen in nine police stations for allegedly violating the model code of conduct, he said.

The venue from where Jayalalithaa addressed a public meeting was also to be used by the authorities later. As such, there was no violation of the model code of conduct, he added.