It is rumoured in R.K. Nagar that its newly-elected MLA Dinakaran might face the prospect of ‘disqualification’ if it is found with clinching evidence that his supporters had paid cash for securing people’s votes in the constituency.

R.K. Nagar voted last Friday (21st December) to fill up the vacancy created by last December’s mysterious demise of former chief-minister J. Jayalalithaa. Votes were counted early this week and Dinakaran emerged victorious upsetting the calculations of the ruling AIADMK as well as the opposition DMK. He later reeled off dialogues claiming that the people had elected him as a ‘successor’ to the late Jayalalithaa.

Police have arrested four persons in R.K. Nagar following a complaint by a resident of the constituency who told the police in writing that like many others in his locality, he too was promised that Rs.10000 would be paid to him after Dinakaran’s victory. However, when he demanded money after the election results were announced, he was attacked by the same persons who had earlier promised to give the money.

It is said that Dinakaran would have to include these expenses while furnishing his statement of accounts to the State Election Commission during the run-up to the polls.  It is further reported that if this amount exceeds the limit prescribed for candidates of an Assembly constituency (which is highly likely), he would be disqualified as an MLA.