In Tamil Nadu, even as campaign by political parties is reaching a crescendo, the Election commission has stepped up its efforts in surveillance and search operations to seize unaccounted money, meant for distribution to voters. The election department officials have so far seized 22 crore rupees in hard cash and 10 crore rupees worth of goods. Our correspondent who traveled across several districts reports there is great appreciation among the general public about the commission’s strict vigil to check the menace of money power in polls.Though in most of the constituencies a large number of contestants are in the field, the battle is between arch rivals DMK and AIADMK, pushing their allies in their front to the back ground. The DMK is contesting 119 out of 234 seats, leaving the rest to its alliance partners, the congress, PMK, VCK and other minor parties. The congress is contesting in 63 constituencies. The AIADMK is fielding candidates in 160 seats, with its partners contesting in 74 constituencies. The DMDK , the major ally is contesting in 41 seats. The BJP is contesting the elections independently.