Governor K. Rosaiah’s proposal to the Election Commission to hold the election in Aravakurichi and Thanjavur constituencies before June 1 has come under flak. Reacting sharply, PMK leader S. Ramadoss accused the Governor of functioning like a loyalist of the ruling AIADMK, saying that only the Election Commission could take a decision on conduct of elections.
“So far no Governor in the country has interfered with the functioning of the Election Commission. In the electoral process, the Governor is just a tool and he had no powers to take decision,” Dr. Ramadoss said in a statement. He rejected the Governor’s argument that the two MLAs (to be elected) should be allowed to vote in the Rajya Sabha elections, arguing that their participation was unlikely to change the outcome of the elections. Dr. Ramadoss also took exception to Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni’s meeting with the Governor.
“There is a need to conduct the elections before the biennial election to the Rajya Sabha. But I do not know whether the Governor, who is the head of the State, can act on individual requests instead of recommendations from the Cabinet,” said Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol. Thirumavalavan.
Former Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta said while he was not aware of the legal aspects of a Governor directing the Election Commission, the postponement of the election in these constituencies by three weeks was very long. “It is almost like conducting a by-poll. The outcome of the general election will have a bearing on these two constituencies,” he said.
The DMK is maintaining silence on the issue as it is also keen on conducting election at an earlier date.
‘So far no Governor has interfered
with the functioning of the Election Commission’
