Madras HC to hear AIADMK's plea against EC's decision on March 20
Court asks to club all the disputes & asks State govt to be part of the case
The Madras High Court has today asked to club all the disputes pending in the High Court against the alleged AIADMK symbols in small buses and related matters. The hearing is posted on March 20.
The Court's decision was on a petition filed by the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munmetra Kazhagam against the Election Commissions directive to the State Government to cover the picture of four leaves on the small buses introduced by the government to ply in the small roads.
The Election Commission last week asked the State government to cover the picture on the small buses, while allowing the two leaves structure in the memorial of late AIADMK leader and former chief minister MGR, in Chennai.
Meanwhile, a petition filed by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader M K Stalin seeking the government to cover the picture of leaves in small buses, pending before another Judge in the High Court. Another petition was earlier filed by an individual seeking the government to take off AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa's picture from Amma Kudineer water bottles sold by the State Transport Coropration.
All these matters would now be considered by the Chief Justice Court on March 20.
During today's argument today, the Counsel appeared for the Election commission questioned the the petition by the party stating that the direction was issued to the State government and why the AIADMK,which is not a party in the issue, is challenging the direction.
Last week, AIADMK's main rival DMK, through its treasure and former Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin, filed a petition seeking removal of paintings and photographs of Jayalalithaa and her party's symbol leaves from Government establishments, schemes and welfare initiatives in view of the model code of conduct in force for the general elections.
Responding to a notice by the Madras High Court on the DMK's petition, the Election Commission sought two days' time to respond to the plea of covering all objects resembling twin leaves and the signs on mini buses as well as the image of Jayalalithaa on 'Amma' water bottles and cans.
On March 10, Election Commission's senior counsel told the Madras High Court that while the generic name of 'Amma' could be retained in government schemes, steps would be taken to block leaves design on small buses, as it resembled AIADMK's symbol and would become a 'mobile advertisement' for the party.
Senior counsel G Rajagopal, appearing for the EC, also submitted the copy of the letter sent to the State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).
Challenging this, the AIADMK's Supermo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, filed a petition challenging the EC's decision and it was first mentioned before Justice B Rajendran and later before Acting Chief Justice Satish K Agnihotri, who has agreed to hear the matter on Monday.
While coming heavily on Stalin stating "out of jealousy and political reasons he filed the petition as he could not stomach the tremendous response to the newly launched small buses were evoking among the public," Jayalaithaa also alleged that EC did not give notice and did not give chance to the State Government a chance to explain the matter.
She also said there was no similarity whatsoever between the two sets of two leaves painted on buses and AIADMK's 'Two Leaves' symbol.