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However, the commission said that the elections will be held later.

In a 29-page statement issued by the Election commission, it said that the RK Nagar bypoll "shall be held by the commission in due course when the vitiating effect created by the distribution of money and gift items to lure the electors gets removed with the passage of time, and the atmosphere in the constituency becomes conducive to the holding of free and fair election."

Earlier, in a surprise move,  the Income Tax department conducted simultaneous searches in 35 locations in Tamil Nadu, including the premises of Health Minister C Vijayabasker and three other politicians and officials.

Among the 35 locations where searches were being conducted, 23 places are in Chennai.  

The I-T sleuths also searched the residence of Dr S Geethalakshmi, the vice-chancellor of Dr MGR Medical University, Tamil Nadu. 

Geetalakshmi had received the Dr BC Roy award, the most prestigious award for a medical professional in the country, from the President only a few days ago.