.jpeg)
The Madras High Court has expressed concern over the practice of legislators resigning from their seats soon after being elected and subsequently contesting by-elections on the symbol of another political party.
The matter came before the court during the hearing of a public interest litigation seeking to stop the by-elections scheduled for October 6 in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies.
The situation arose after two AIADMK legislators resigned from their membership of the Assembly. Following their resignations, the two legislators joined TVK. The party subsequently fielded them as candidates from the same constituencies in the upcoming by-elections.
During the hearing, the Division Bench of the Madras High Court, comprising Justice S.M. Subramaniam and Justice K. Govindarajan, raised concerns over the practice of elected legislators resigning shortly after an election and then immediately contesting from the same constituency on another party’s election symbol.
The court observed that the situation raises an important issue because a legislator is elected by voters from a particular constituency. If the elected representative resigns shortly after the election, the constituency may have to go through another election within a short period.
The public interest litigation has specifically sought to prevent the October 6 by-elections in Madurantakam and Dharapuram. The petition is connected to the resignations of the two legislators and their subsequent decision to join another political party.
The case also brings attention to the process that follows when an elected legislator leaves the Assembly before completing the term. Once a seat becomes vacant, the election authorities may have to conduct a by-election so that the constituency can have a representative in the Assembly.
In this particular case, the controversy has also arisen because the two former AIADMK legislators have been given tickets by TVK from the same constituencies after joining the party.
The court’s remarks focused on the broader issue of elected representatives resigning soon after an election and then returning to the electoral contest under a different party symbol. The judges described this situation as a serious problem that requires attention.
The petitioners have asked the court to intervene in the proposed by-elections. The court’s observations during the hearing, however, should be distinguished from any final decision on whether the elections will take place.
The issue has significance because repeated elections can require voters to return to the polling process within a short period. It also raises questions about the circumstances under which elected representatives leave their seats and subsequently seek another mandate from the same constituency.
The proceedings concerning the Madurantakam and Dharapuram constituencies will therefore be closely watched. The court’s further consideration of the public interest litigation will determine how the petition concerning the October 6 by-elections proceeds.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
