Impending voting in Kerala, Karnataka impacts business at cattle shandy in Erode
With polling scheduled on Friday, traders from these two states did not show up at the shandy while a few traders from Andhra Pradesh and other states turned up
The weekly cattle shandy at Karungalpalayam witnessed a decline in sales due the absence of traders from States where voting is bound to take place for the Lok Sabha elections on Friday.
Usually, traders from Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana purchase cattle at the market and transport it to their respective states. But, due to the Lok Sabha elections scheduled on Friday in Kerala and Karnataka, traders from these two states did not turn up at the shandy while a few traders from Andhra Pradesh and other states turned up. As a result, the sandy saw sales of less than 50%.
After the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was brought into eect, farmers said, they were unable to carry cash of more than ₹50,000 without valid documents. On March 20, election ocials seized cash from traders at the entrance of the shandy forcing them to stage a protest at the Collectorate. “Business was aected in the last one month due to the restrictions,” said a farmer.
Farmers have been demanding a relaxation of the cap on cash as they were unable to produce documents for the cattle sold in the shandy.
Traders carrying cash from other districts and states were also facing issues due to the norms, resulting in a drop in sales at the shandy.
Of the 900 cattle brought for sale, less than 500 were sold out at the shandy here. Farmers and traders said the situation will return to normal only after the MCC is withdrawn after counting of votes on June 4.
The fear of defeat is creating panic among opposition parties, said BJP State vice president K.P. Ramalingam on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters in Salem, Mr. Ramalingam said he could discern a wave in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
“I have contested nine general elections. Everywhere, people gave a warm welcome to the BJP. Both the DMK and AIADMK allegedly distributed cash for votes. But we could see that the public are seeking change in Tamil Nadu, especially youngsters and women both in rural and urban areas. This will give BJP a massive win,” he added.
Claiming that opposition parties are fearing defeat and making unfair accusations against the
Why is CM Stalin silent on the Congress party’s claim that the properties of Indians will be distributed?
BJP State vice-president
Prime Minister, Mr. Ramalingam said the INDIA bloc will win only 10 or 15 seats in the ¢rst phase of the elections. “Why is Chief Minister M.K. Stalin silent on the Congress party’s claim that the properties of Indians will be distributed? Does DMK accept the Congress party’s election manifesto?”
Alleging that drug culture is rampant in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Ramalingam said that the government has failed to control drugs. The police is allegedly not under the control of the Chief Minister and no major culprits have been arrested.