TN local body polls:  Stalin confident to win 21 corporations

A bjp booth committee member has objected to a woman voter who arrived at a polling booth in Madurai while wearing a hijab, he asked to take it off. DMK, AIDMK members objected to him, later the police have asked BJP member to leave the booth.

TN local body polls:  Stalin confident to win 21 corporations

Chennai: After a gap of ten years, the Tamil Nadu urban local body polls are being held today in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has reposed confidence to winning 21 city corporations in the state. After casting his vote at a polling booth in Teynampet in Chennai, Mr. Stalin said that we are giving good governance not only to those who vote for us but to all. As per our information, we and our alliance will win 21 corporations.  

The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the BJP and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) are in the fray.

Till 12 noon, 35 percent of votes were polled to local body elections. Good voting turnout in Trichy and Salam districts.

Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi has requested the city residents to ensure 100 % voting for the urban local body elections.

Actor Vijay, who had come cycling to a polling station at Neelankarai in Chennai for the last Assembly elections, came in a car this time to cast his vote, People are gathered around him to take a snap. His fans and others followed him to the polling booths taking photos and videos on their mobile phones. But it has caused inconvenience to the polling officer of the booth. Later Vijay apologizes to polling officials for causing inconvenience from his side.

Hijab row in polling both: A bjp booth committee member has objected to a woman voter who arrived at a polling booth in Madurai while wearing a hijab, he asked to take it off. DMK, AIDMK members objected to him, later the police have asked BJP member to leave the booth.

DMK MP, Kanimozhi condemned the incident " It's very sad that they turn people against people in the name of religion. What a woman chooses to wear is her right. I don't think anybody has the right to decide whether it is too much or too little". 

Security: Nearly 1 lakh police personnel have been deployed today in addition to other arrangements to ensure peaceful and fair elections. Out of the 31,150 polling stations, the critical/ vulnerable have been identified and additional security arrangements have been made accordingly.

As many as 846 Quick Response Teams and 1,343 other police teams have been positioned at key locations. Check posts have been established in 455 places and vehicle checks are being done 24×7 to check transport of illicit arms, liquor and to check movement of outsiders who do not belong to a particular jurisdiction, the Indian Express reports.