Organised sports competitions for first-time voters; DMK files complaint against Annamalai, alleges violation of code of conduct

CHENNAI: DMK has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against BJP candidate K Annamalai in Coimbatore. The complaint pertains to Annamalai organizing cricket and football matches for female voters, with pictures of Modi and Annamalai included in the tournament's notification. DMK alleges this violates the election code of conduct, disguising payment under the guise of contests. They demand the contests planned for today and tomorrow be halted.

Earlier, Annamalai compared the anti-Hindi sentiment in Tamil Nadu to a worn-out shoe, stating, "The people of Sriperumbathur should understand that some still dwell on what was said in 1980. This divide between Hindi-Sanskrit and North-South persists, people haven't still thrown out such old shoes." His statement drew criticism from DMK, alleging insult to the martyrs of the anti-Hindi movement. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that even Modi's tears wouldn't convince him, suggesting Modi's lack of Tamil proficiency while also cautioning against attempts to impose Hindi.