Chennai: TVK functionary Aadhav Arjuna on Monday accused Chennai city police commissioner A Arun of ‘blocking’ Vijay’s election tour in the city and sought his transfer, alleging that local officers were under pressure to restrict the party’s activities.Addressing reporters, Arjuna said TVK had planned campaigns in Villivakkam, Anna Nagar and T Nagar. “But the programme was disrupted after the approved schedule was cut back and route movement curtailed, he added.”He claimed the party had initially sought permission for Vijay to campaign in T Nagar from 2pm to 6pm and that the returning officer (RO) had granted it after police clearance, but the approval was later revised to 2pm to 3pm. Arjuna questioned how an approval issued by the RO could be altered within an hour. He said the police had no authority to dictate the duration of a leader’s campaign. Arjuna contrasted Chennai with Trichy and Puducherry, where he said the campaign was allowed to proceed with traffic regulation and police support. He also alleged that Chennai police were trying to confine Vijay to a single constituency and prevent him from entering interior city areas. Calling the commissioner “dishonest,” Arjuna said TVK would raise the matter before Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik and, if needed, before the EC in Delhi. He said the party wanted only one thing from the police: equal treatment for all parties and protection for the public. Arun did not respond to TOI’s queries.
