The Madras High Court has admitted an election petition challenging the victory of DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran in the Chennai Central parliamentary constituency during the 2024 general elections. The petition was filed by a candidate who lost the election.
The petitioner, M L Ravi, president of Desiya Makkal Sakthi Katchi, alleged that DMK violated election laws by issuing advertisements in newspapers after the campaign period had officially ended on April 17th. He claims this constitutes a corrupt practice under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Ravi further alleged that Dayanidhi Maran suppressed several election expenses in the final expense account submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI).
In response to the petition, Justice N Anand Venkatesh has directed both Dayanidhi Maran and the ECI to respond to the allegations by September 26th.
This is not the only election petition filed in the Madras High Court. Another separate petition was also admitted by Justice G Jayachandran, this one challenging the election of Congress MP Robert Bruce from the Tirunelveli parliamentary constituency. This petition was filed by BJP candidate Nainar Nagendran.
These legal challenges highlight the contentious nature of the recent elections and the scrutiny they are facing from various political parties and candidates. The outcome of these petitions could have significant implications for the legitimacy of the elected representatives and the integrity of the electoral process.
