The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has claimed that visuals showing Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam leader Vijayakant allegedly assaulting his party candidate were morphed by pro-DMK channels to create his negative image among voters and sought the intervention of election officials to stop such "false propaganda".
According to reports, Vijayakant was caught on camera assaulting Dharmapuri candidate Bhaskar during a rally. Bhaskar apparently tried to correct him after he misspelt his name.
"The rival front's TV channels especially Sun Network channels, Kalaingar TV and Makkal TV had morphed the video of the alleged incident and had been telecasting it repeatedly as part of a conspiracy to defame and cause irreparable loss to the AIADMK front in the April 13 Assembly polls," the party said in a letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).
"Vijayakant
He said Vijayakant himself had denied that he had beaten up the candidate and several newspapers had published his version.
He urged the CEO to issue orders prohibiting the pro-DMK channels from telecasting such tampered visuals of Vijayakant's campaign.
The Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam, meanwhile, spared no words to criticise Vijayakant.
"The incident reflects the poor leadership qualities of the DMDK leader. This is a new low in Indian politics. Never before a leader hit at his own candidate like this. Vijayakant doesn't seem to be 'steady' while campaigning," the DMK said.
Image: Video grab of the incident