Coimbatore south constituency BJP candidate Vanathi Srinivasan, canvassed votes inside the Iyyappan temple at New Siddhapudur here on Thursday, distributing pamphlets to devotees. She also posed for photographs with them in the temple. Election officials have ordered a probe.
Vanathi Srinivasan has posted in her social media handle, a programme titled 'Worship with Vanathi' in the Saibaba Temple, Siddhapudur Iyyappan temple, Koniamman temple, Thandumariamman temple, Lakshmi Narasimmar temple, Kottaimedu Sivan temple and Dhanvanthiri temple on Thursday. The twitter handle said that apart from worshipping, the event also intended to canvass votes.
Along with party cadres, Vanathi visited Siddhapudur Iyyappan temple and began distributing pamphlets to devotees after they offered prayers. The pamphlets, printed in Malayalam, wished people for Vishu, (the harvest festival in Kerala). " In the coming new year, we should all unite to bring development and prosperity. Please vote for Vanathi Srinivasan, contesting from Coimbatore south constituency under lotus symbol for the BJP," it said. Later Vanathi Srinivasan canvassed inside the Vasaviamman temple at Vysial Street. However, election officials failed to monitor her campaign at the temples.
When contacted, Vanathi Srinivasan said that she was unable to read or write Malayalam. Thus, she approached several devotees to understand the contents of the pamphlets. "I did not violate the model code of conduct. I was only wishing people for Vishu. I know that it's a violation if we canvass inside the temple," said Vanathi Srinivasan. She had also taken photos while distributing pamphlets.
She wore a shawl with the BJP lotus symbol while addressing devotees at Vasaiamman temple on Vysial street. She had posted these pictures on her Twitter and Facebook pages.
Meanwhile, the district collector Archana Patnaik received information about the canvassing inside temples and has ordered a probe. Coimbatore South constituency returning officer Gandhimathi and flying squad tahsildar Rukmani are probing the violation.
Vanathi Srinivasan has posted in her social media handle, a programme titled 'Worship with Vanathi' in the Saibaba Temple, Siddhapudur Iyyappan temple, Koniamman temple, Thandumariamman temple, Lakshmi Narasimmar temple, Kottaimedu Sivan temple and Dhanvanthiri temple on Thursday. The twitter handle said that apart from worshipping, the event also intended to canvass votes.
Along with party cadres, Vanathi visited Siddhapudur Iyyappan temple and began distributing pamphlets to devotees after they offered prayers. The pamphlets, printed in Malayalam, wished people for Vishu, (the harvest festival in Kerala). " In the coming new year, we should all unite to bring development and prosperity. Please vote for Vanathi Srinivasan, contesting from Coimbatore south constituency under lotus symbol for the BJP," it said. Later Vanathi Srinivasan canvassed inside the Vasaviamman temple at Vysial Street. However, election officials failed to monitor her campaign at the temples.
When contacted, Vanathi Srinivasan said that she was unable to read or write Malayalam. Thus, she approached several devotees to understand the contents of the pamphlets. "I did not violate the model code of conduct. I was only wishing people for Vishu. I know that it's a violation if we canvass inside the temple," said Vanathi Srinivasan. She had also taken photos while distributing pamphlets.
She wore a shawl with the BJP lotus symbol while addressing devotees at Vasaiamman temple on Vysial street. She had posted these pictures on her Twitter and Facebook pages.
Meanwhile, the district collector Archana Patnaik received information about the canvassing inside temples and has ordered a probe. Coimbatore South constituency returning officer Gandhimathi and flying squad tahsildar Rukmani are probing the violation.