'Electoral corruption very high in Tamil Nadu'

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Thursday urged the party's Tamil Nadu unit to enrol more members to strengthen the party in the state.

Shah was in Coimbatore, around 500 km from here, to address the BJP's state and district office-bearers, said a party leader.

"Shah said electoral corruption is very high in Tamil Nadu. The electoral corruption can be smashed only if the party increases its membership," the BJP leader told IANS on the condition of anonymity.

Shah was apparently referring to the alleged distribution of cash to voters in a systematic manner by some political parties in the state for their votes.

According to Shah, party positions will be given to those who enlist a high number of members.

Shah said the party has mobilised 22 lakh members in Tamil Nadu against a target of 60 lakh.

According to BJP officials, the party president focused only on intensifying the membership drive to become an alternative to the AIADMK and the DMK.

The BJP has recognised Tamil Nadu as one of the seven states to expand its reach in a significant manner before the 2016 assembly election. - IANS