The Madras High Court on Monday extended its stay on announcing by-elections for five Tamil Nadu Assembly constituencies, including Tiruchy East, until September 8.
The matter relates to vacancies arising after resignations by sitting MLAs. Chief Minister Vijay, who had won from Tiruchy East and Chennai Perambur in the Assembly election, later resigned as MLA from Tiruchy East. Separately, M.R. Vijayabaskar (Karur), C. Vijayabaskar (Viralimalai), Jayakumar (Perundurai) and Isakki Subbiah (Ambasamudram) resigned from their MLA posts and joined the TVK after leaving the AIADMK.
A public interest petition was filed by BJP functionary Venkatajalapathi from Palayamkottai in Tirunelveli district, seeking a bar on declaring bypolls as election petitions challenging the victories in these constituencies are pending.
On July 31, the court had restrained the announcement of by-elections in the five seats till August 24 and directed the Election Commission, the Union government, the Assembly Secretary and Chief Minister Vijay, among others, to respond. With that restraint due to lapse, the case was taken up again on Monday, when the court extended the stay till September 8.
