Probe demanded into purported video of Dharapuram TVK candidate

Chennai: DMK MLA S Austin on Tuesday urged the Election Commission to launch an inquiry based on a video clip shared on social media purportedly featuring TVK candidate in the Dharapuram bypoll, P Satyabama, in which she is allegedly heard saying that she spent Rs 31 crore during the last Assembly election, when she contested on an AIADMK ticket.

Austin demanded stern action if irregularities are found in her election expenditure accounts. Speaking to reporters at the secretariat here, the DMK legislator stated that a video is currently circulating in which Satyabhama purportedly admits to spending several lakh rupees on accommodation and campaigning for alliance leaders.

“The election authorities must verify whether Dharapuram Satyabhama has submitted her election expenditure statements. If she has failed to do so or exceeded the permitted limits, appropriate action must be initiated against her under the Representation of the People Act,” Austin demanded.

He further noted that a formal complaint has been lodged with election officials regarding the matter.”Nobody usually admits on camera that it is their voice in such videos. She has also mentioned spending Rs 31 crore in the previous election. Legally speaking, she should have been disqualified for that,” the MLA added.

However, after casting her vote, Satyabhama denied the allegations and said the video was “fabricated”. Sathyabama won on the AIADMK ticket from Dharapuram in the last Assembly poll, and later resigned from her seat and joined the ruling TVK.

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