Plea in SC seeks CBI probe into alleged horse-trading involving TVK functionary, former AIADMK legislators

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The court has also been urged to restrain the four former AIADMK MLAs from contesting the ensuing byelections. | Photo Credit: The Hindu

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a CBI investigation into allegations of horse-trading involving the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) general secretary and four former members of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) who resigned from the Assembly and subsequently joined the ruling party in Tamil Nadu, allegedly to facilitate the formation of the C. Joseph Vijay-led government in the State.

The plea, filed by lawyer M. Srinivasan, seeks directions to the CBI to register a case against TVK general secretary and Minister for Rural Development and Water Resources N. Anand, along with former AIADMK MLAs K. Maragatham Kumaravel (Maduranthakam), S. Jayakumar (Perundurai), P. Sathyabama (Dharapuram) and Esakki Subaya (Ambasamudram), who resigned from their Assembly seats before joining the TVK last month.

Following their resignations, the seats represented by the five legislators were declared vacant, with the vacancies subsequently notified in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette.

Mr. Srinivasan has urged the apex court to invoke its plenary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to frame specific guidelines against post-election horse-trading involving legislators who have either been disqualified by the Speaker or resigned from the Assembly without any “valid, material and justifiable reason”.

The court has also been urged to restrain the four former AIADMK MLAs from contesting the ensuing byelections, either as independent candidates or with the support of any political party, until appropriate guidelines are framed by the court.

“Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction thereby directing Respondent No. 3 (Central Bureau of Investigation) to register a case against Respondent Nos. 7 to 11 for allegedly indulging in horse-trading to secure a majority in the Tamil Nadu Ass