HC tells EC to dispose of lion symbol issue before Apr 20

Chennai, Apr 10 (UNI) Madras High Court today directed the Election Commission to consider and dispose of before April 20, the representation not to grant the lion symbol to the splinter group of All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) led by actor-politician M Karthik.

Mr Justice F M Ibrahim Kalifullah gave the directive while disposing of a petition filed by P L Meyyappan, a member of the Tamil Nadu State Committee of the AIFB, seeking a direction to the EC not to grant the lion symbol to Karthik.

The judge said with regard to the nature of controversy raised by the petitioner, it was appropriate that the EC decide the question based on the Election Symbol (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.

It was open to the petitioner and Karthik to put forth their stands before the EC on a date and time to be fixed by EC.

The judge said as the EC has already announced the election schedule, it was appropriate for EC to decide the issue expeditiously to enable the parties to know where they stood on the symbol to be used. So, the EC was directed to consider the petitioner's representation in accordance with law and on its own merit and dispose it of after giving fair opportunity to the petitioner as well as Karthik, expeditiously, preferably before April 20, the judge added.

UNI XR AA SI GC1941