Not just big money bags, but even small aarti thattus have come under the Election Commission scanner as many politicians try to give money under the guise of the aarti thattu ritual.
After serving a notice to minister T.P.M. Mohideen Khan for gifting `50 to a woman in Palayamkottai after she performed aarti for him, the EC has informed the videographers to capture the visuals wherever aarti is performed to prevent money being dropped in plates.
Additional chief electoral officer P. Amudha said, Yes, minister Mohideen Khan has been served notice for giving money for aarti. We have posted videographers to record the activities of candidates and scan through the clips. If we find contestants giving money during campaigns, we would take action immediately, she said. She said no candidate was allowed to give money for aarti which would be considered giving money for votes.
She said whenever people get to know of any candidate passing money to voters under any guise, they could inform the EC control room through phone 1965.
Opposing the EC’s decision on aarti thattus, political writer Soolai said, Aarti thattu is a part of Tamil culture. The ritual is shown to respect the contestant. Moreover, the contestant gives only `50 or `10, which would not influence the voter. These days, people expect more money, he said. He added that only in this election, the EC has come out with unbelievable regulations under the guise of controlling the misuse of money power.