2 more nominations for Jayalalitha

By Our Tamil Nadu Bureau

CHENNAI, APRIL 23. In a surprise development, AIADMK partymen today submitted nominations on behalf of the party general secretary, Ms. Jayalalitha, for two more constituencies, Pudukottai and Bhuvanagiri. Already, Ms. Jayalalitha had presented her papers from Krishnagiri and Andipatti.

Although the Election Commission's handbook for returning officers disallows filing of nominations in more than two constituencies, an AIADMK municipal councillor, Mr. K. Bhasker, and a lawyer, Mr. Durai Anbarasan, presented papers on behalf of Ms. Jayalalitha for Pudukottai and Bhuvanagiri.

Mr. Bhasker filed the papers minutes before the 3 p.m. deadline on the last date for nominations.

The returning officer in Cuddalore for the Bhuvanagiri constituency confirmed that the nomination filed by Mr. Anbarasan was in the name of Ms. Jayalalitha.

The Chief Electoral Officer, Dr. Mrutyunjay Sarangi, refused to answer any question on the two fresh nominations saying he was not to make any comment on the eve of scrutiny.

According to the `Handbook for Returning Officers', a candidate's nominations can be rejected ``if it is found at the time of scrutiny that the candidate has been nominated from more than two constituencies of the same class of a general election...''But, the question of rejection will arise only if the two latest nominations were found to have been filed with Ms. Jayalalitha's authorisation.

Under the chapter ``scrutiny'', the handbook says, ``the returning officer must, however, be absolutely satisfied beyond any shadow of doubt that the candidate concerned has filed nominations from more than two constituencies, before rejecting his nomination on this ground.''

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