AIADMK opposes Election Commission suggestion to cover ‘leaves’

Chennai: A day after the Election Commission of India informed the Madras high court that the painting of leaves appearing on small buses plying in Chennai, resembling the AIADMK party symbol, ‘two leaves’, may be covered suitably, chief minister J. Jayalalithaa, who is also party general secretary, filed a petition praying that the court stay the operation of the order as it was illegal.

In the petition, Ms Jayalalithaa stated that the model code of conduct prohibits the abuse of official position by the party in power for the purpose of election campaign. In the instant case, the buses with painting of four leaves have been plying in Chennai for several months before the election notification and, therefore, cannot be construed as being used for the purpose of election campaign by the party.

The jurisdiction of the ECI is only with respect to the conduct of free and fair elections and not to put spokes in the normal functioning of government. The order was issued on the total misconception that the painting of the symbol on the mini-buses resembles the AIADMK party symbol. It does not reflect the party symbol and the four green leaves painted on the buses were to create awareness about environment and green revolution.

On a petition from DMK party treasurer M.K. Stalin, the direction had been given to the state Election Commission without affording any opportunity to the petitioner and, hence, the order is in complete violation of natural justice and violation of Article 14 of the Constitution, her petition read. When the matter came up for hearing before Justice B. Rajendran, the judge referred the matter to the first bench which adjourned it to Monday.