Madras HC cancels election of AIADMK MP O P Ravindranath; order suspended for one month

Chennai (Tamil Nadu): The Madras High Court on Thursday declared the 2019 election of expelled AIADMK member O P Ravindranath from the constituency in Tamil Nadu invalid.

Justice S S Sundar, who passed the order, however, withheld the operation of the order for a month, so as to enable Ravindranath to file an appeal. Justice SS Sundar also declared the seat vacant.

Ravindranath is the sole representative of the AIADMK in the Lok Sabha. O P Ravindranath is the son of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who is heading a rival group in the AIADMK and is involved in a bitter power tussle with former CM Edappadi K Palaniswami. Rabindranath had won by a margin of 76,319 votes defeating EVKS Elangovan of the Congress.

V Arun, counsel for P Milani, the petitioner, contended that Ravindhranath while filing his nomination for the election had suppressed various materials including the particulars of his movable and immovable assets and liabilities, and those of his family members. The suppression of facts had materially affected the election, the lawyer said. Hence Milani, a voter of the Theni constituency, filed the present election petition.

Arun also said on behalf of the petitioner that various documents were filed to substantiate the allegations. After perusing the same and examining the witnesses, the judge declared the election of Ravindhranath invalid.

Immediately after his election as the then interim general secretary of the AIADMK in July last year, party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami had expelled his rival Panneerselvam and Ravindhranath among others. Palaniswami had later written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla that Ravindranath was no longer with the AIADMK and that he should not be considered as an MP representing the party.

Earlier on June 28, Ravindranath appeared in person in the High Court and gave evidence. He denied the allegations against him, while also submitting additional documents.