DMK files caveat in HC over civic polls; TN likely to appeal

Chennai, Oct 5: DMK today filed a caveat in the Madras High Court to preempt orders from being passed without giving it notice, if the Tamil Nadu State Election Commission challenges an order that nullified notification for the October 17 and 19 civic polls.

While sources in the State Election Commission said they are likely to file an appeal against the order of the single judge who cancelled the local body elections yesterday, DMK filed the caveat on the matter.

As a consequence of the caveat, if and when the appeal is filed against yesterday's high court order that cancelled the polls, DMK is to be given notice before any direction or order is passed on the appeal.

The Madras High Court had declared the notification for civic polls in the state, scheduled for October 17 and 19, as null and void, holding that it violated the Tamil Nadu Panchayat Election Rules.

It had directed the SEC to issue a fresh notification for holding local body elections and complete the poll process before December 31 on a writ plea filed by DMK leader and Rajya Sabha member R S Barathy.

In its petition, DMK had sought adequate reservation to the Scheduled Tribes, and necessary rotation of seats in all the posts as mandated in the Constitution.

PTI