By IANS
Chennai : The Election Commission Monday filed a petition in a Tamil Nadu court against AIADMK chief J. Jayalalitha for filing nominations from more than two constituencies in the 2001 assembly elections in the state.
On the directions of the commission, Selvamani, returning officer of the Bhuvanagiri assembly constituency filed a petition with a judicial magistrate in Chidambaram, seeking action against the former chief minister.
Jayalalitha had filed nominations from the Andipatti, Krishnagiri, Bhuvanagiri and Pudukottai constituencies in the 2001 polls.
Under the Representation of People's Act (RPA), a candidate is entitled to file nominations from a maximum of two constituencies. And while filing the nomination, the candidate has to swear on oath saying: "I have not been and shall not be nominated to more than two constituencies."
The poll panel has recommended appropriate action against the AIADMK leader for filing false affidavits and giving false information to election authorities, when she filed nominations from the four constituencies.
Her papers from all the four seats were however rejected as she was disqualified to contest the polls after being convicted in a land deal case.
In 2002, when Jayalalitha was chief minister, DMK MP C. Kuppusamy had moved the Madras High Court, pointing out that the AIADMK chief had violated rules and that action be taken against her.
On June 13, the Madras High Court admitted Kuppusamy's petition, five years after it was filed, and directed the Election Commission to take action according to law.
Following this, the poll panel sent a communiqué to Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta to direct the returning officers of the concerned constituencies "to file cases against her under the RPA", Malhotra said.