The Election Commission has issued notices to All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Jayalalithaa and her ally and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam founder Vijayakant for allegedly making derogatory remarks against DMK president M. Karunanidhi and his family members.
Originally, the two leaders were asked to send in their replies by 5 p.m. on Thursday.
Ms. Jayalalithaa sought two days to give her reply, while Mr Vijayakant asked for 20 days, according to Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Kumar. The Commission granted the AIADMK leader's request and asked Mr. Vijayakant to reply in two days.
The Commission acted on a representation given by the DMK on April 1. According to the petition, backed by copies of reports in newspapers and submitted by DMK election committee members Pon Muthuramalingam and K.S. Radhakrishnan, Ms. Jayalalithaa made “seriously and highly objectionable allegations” against Mr. Karunanidhi and his family during her campaign in different places of the State. She also personally attacked them. Mr. Vijayakant made some adverse observations in a similar language.
