An AIADMK man created a flutter on Thursday after he was found giving away currency notes to workers in shops near the district court.
However, officials later confirmed that he was distributing cash on the occasion of the Tamil New Year, and was not trying to ensure votes for cash for his party. "We advised him to be cautious since this was poll season and such distribution could be misconstrued as a model code violation," said an election official.
According to the officials, Abbas, an AIADMK member and a close associate of a former MLA, was found distributing 10 currency notes to a few people near the court on Government Arts College Road. Witnesses grew suspicious as he was wearing a dhoti with the AIADMK flag on it and thus they telephoned the election control room.
Soon, a flying squad was rushed to the spot. When they arrived, he was still distributing cash.
Abbas, who was caught unawares, told the flying squad officials that he was just distributing a nominal amount to workers employed in the locality, a tradition he has been observing for several years to mark the Tamil New Year.
The flying squad found he was carrying bundles of 10 notes.
Employees in the neighbourhood came out to support Abbas, confirming that it was indeed an annual ritual. Abbas said that his act of charity had nothing to do with elections.
When returning officer Gandhimathi was informed about the incident, he let him off after inquiries confirmed that the AIADMK man was not bribing voters.
Officials said they did not register a complaint.
However, officials later confirmed that he was distributing cash on the occasion of the Tamil New Year, and was not trying to ensure votes for cash for his party. "We advised him to be cautious since this was poll season and such distribution could be misconstrued as a model code violation," said an election official.
According to the officials, Abbas, an AIADMK member and a close associate of a former MLA, was found distributing 10 currency notes to a few people near the court on Government Arts College Road. Witnesses grew suspicious as he was wearing a dhoti with the AIADMK flag on it and thus they telephoned the election control room.
Soon, a flying squad was rushed to the spot. When they arrived, he was still distributing cash.
Abbas, who was caught unawares, told the flying squad officials that he was just distributing a nominal amount to workers employed in the locality, a tradition he has been observing for several years to mark the Tamil New Year.
The flying squad found he was carrying bundles of 10 notes.
Employees in the neighbourhood came out to support Abbas, confirming that it was indeed an annual ritual. Abbas said that his act of charity had nothing to do with elections.
When returning officer Gandhimathi was informed about the incident, he let him off after inquiries confirmed that the AIADMK man was not bribing voters.
Officials said they did not register a complaint.