Plea against Kani’s election admitted

Justice SM Subramaniam on citing the provisions available in the Representation of the People Act held that if an election petition is withdrawn by a candidate, the voter of the constituency has locus to continue the case, admitted the plea moved by one Muthuramalingam, a voter from the Thoothukudi constituency.

Richard Wilson appearing for Kanimozhi had contended that the petitioner Muthuramalingam is part of BJP’s advocate’s wing in Thoothukudi and had campaigned for Tamilisai in the election. He had also lodged a complaint at Srivaikundam police station against the DMK. But, hiding all these facts he has projected himself as a mere voter from Thoothukudi challenging Kanimozhi’s election.

While being the president of the state BJP wing Tamilisai had filed the petition challenging the election of Kanimozhi on various grounds, including corruption. After becoming the Governor of Telangana, she opted to withdraw her petition.

It may be noted that another similar petition moved by Santhana Kumar, a voter in the constituency, challenging Kanimozhi’s election on the same grounds is pending.