J Jayalalithaa's poll win challenged in Madras High Court

CHENNAI: An independent candidate has filed an election petition in the Madras high court challenging the election of Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary J.Jayalalithaa from R. K. Nagar Assembly constituency in May this year. Justice M.Duraiswamy before whom the petition filed by G.Pravina came up for hearing, ordered notice, returnable by four weeks to the returning officer (RO), Chief Electoral Officer and Jayalalithaa.

According to petitioner, she contested as independent candidate in R.K.Nagar constituency. The RO had not given permission to her for campaigning and using vehicles in the constituency. The vehicles used by her were detained at gun-point by police. The pot symbol was not as per the specification of Election Commission. Therefore, she gave a complaint to CEO and thereafter made complaint through phone call. Though the CEO assured her that action will be taken, no action was taken to stop or postpone the election. By not acting on her complaints, her right to equality enshrined under Art. 14 of the Constitution was affected, she added and sought to declare the election as null and void and to conduct fresh poll.

Similarly, VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan filed an election petition to declare the election of AIADMK candidate N. Murugumaran from Kattumannarkoil Assembly constituency. Justice Duraiswamy ordered notice, returnable by four weeks, to the returning officer, Murugumaran and eight  others. In his petition, Thirumavalavan alleged that the police and election officials turned a blind eye to the lapses and contraventions and deliberate violations of the code of conduct by Murugamaran. Several instances of distribution of money to voters and use of men and muscle power were reported to the RO and police. But they did not take any action, he said.