Vijay’s TVK Not A Recognised Political Political Party, EC Tells Madras HC

The Election Commission of India on Friday (17 October) informed the Madras High Court that Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, is not a recognised political party, reported The New Indian Express.

Niranjan Rajagopal, counsel for the EC, made the submission before the First Bench, comprising Chief Justice MM Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation filed by C Selvakumar.

The PIL sought, among other reliefs, the derecognition of TVK following the 27 September stampede at a Karur rally organised by the party that claimed 41 lives.

The bench instructed the Registry to refer all cases linked to the Karur stampede to the administrative side of the high court, to constitute a bench to handle them, except for those already pending before the Supreme Court.

Regarding the plea to derecognise TVK, Rajagopal said, the party was not a recognised one and hence this prayer would not stand.

The petition, initially filed in the Madurai bench of the Madras HC, was transferred to the First Bench since the Chief Election Commissioner was the first respondent.

Selvakumar also sought to amend the FIR against Vijay, which the bench said would be addressed through the Supreme Court’s order directing a CBI probe.

In his petition, Selvakumar requested strict enforcement of the Election Commission’s 5 February 2024, directive prohibiting the use of children and women in political rallies, processions, and election campaigns.

He also urged that all recognised parties submit undertakings confirming adherence to this prohibition, failing which the EC should take appropriate action, including derecognition.

He sought to hold TVK leadership accountable for allegedly mobilising women and minor children, resulting in mass casualties, and demanded compensation of at least Rs 1 crore per deceased and proportionate relief for the injured.

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