Symbol case: Orders reserved on TTV Dinakaran’s plea for more time

Dinakaran, in his petition, stated Ramkumar Adithan from Tiruchendur had filed a petition at Madurai Bench of Madras High Court and based on the petition the court had directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to allot the party symbol to any of the AIADMK factions by October 31. 

Based on the direction of the court, the ECI had directed all the persons connected with the case to file affidavits by September 29. He had approached the ECI and informed them that already seven lakh affidavits were filed before the ECI and for additional affidavits they need time of three weeks, but ECI on September 28 had rejected his request. 

So Dinakaran requested the court that they should direct the ECI to provide time for filing the additional affidavits and stressed not to allot party symbol for any of the factions till the filing of affidavits is completed. 

On Wednesday, the petition was heard by Judges Venogopal and Abdul Kuthus. In the argument, counsel of the petitioner argued that the case to conduct local body election is pending before Supreme Court and there is no urgency for ECI to allot the party symbol. So, the time to file extra affidavit should be extended till February 28. 

However, defence counsel argued that ECI had given enough time and the deadline was extended more than once. The petition was filed with the motive of dragging the party symbol case and so the court should dismiss the petition. On hearing the arguments of both sides, the bench reserved the verdict in the case.