The Madras High Court has dismissed objections to an election petition that contests the 2024 Lok Sabha victory of Congress Member of Parliament (MP) B. Manickam Tagore from the Virudhunagar constituency. The case, titled Manickam Tagore Vs Vijay Prabhakaran, was brought forth by Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) leader V. Vijaya Prabhakaran, who raised significant allegations against Tagore.
Allegations of Corrupt Practices
Presided over by Justice N. Sathish Kumar, the court found that the petition presented triable issues, as it included allegations of distributing Congress Party Guarantee Cards, cash distribution, booth capturing, and irregularities in vote counting. The court decided against rejecting the petition at this preliminary stage, emphasizing that the claims connected to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, warranted further examination.
Justice Kumar stated, “When prima facie allegations are disclosed and such allegations are traceable with reference to the provisions of the Representation of the Peoples Act, then this Court at this stage cannot reject the Election Petition in limine.” The case is scheduled for a hearing on July 9.
Specific Claims Against Tagore
The election held on April 19, 2024, saw Tagore’s victory, which Prabhakaran contested, citing multiple irregularities. These included the alleged flawed acceptance of Tagore’s nomination, non-disclosure of assets, and criminal history. Additionally, Prabhakaran accused Tagore of voter bribery through the distribution of Congress Guarantee Cards and cash, alongside various voting irregularities.
The guarantee cards allegedly promised ₹1 lakh annually to women under the Mahalakshmi Scheme and a similar amount to young people as internship funds, contingent on the Congress party’s ascension to power. Prabhakaran argued this strategy constituted inducement and corrupt practice, as it established direct voter relationships under a benefit scheme.
Tagore’s Defense
In response, Tagore contended that these cards were part of the party’s political manifesto, not acts of bribery. He highlighted that the Election Commission’s circular, which prohibited the distribution of such cards, was issued on May 2, 2024, after the election process in Tamil Nadu had concluded.
The court noted that the election petition identified individuals allegedly involved in distributing and receiving these cards, and First Information Reports (FIRs) had been filed at police stations in Virudhunagar West, Alankulam, and Sivakasi Town. Justice Kumar remarked, “Prima facie, there are materials to show that there was promise made to the individual voters.”
He further clarified that determining whether the cards were merely part of the party’s manifesto or used as inducement would require a full trial. The court also found sufficient particulars in the allegations of cash distribution, non-erasure of mock poll votes, booth capturing, and postal ballot issues to warrant a trial.
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Senior Advocate Abdul Saleem, along with advocate Elambharathi, represented Tagore, while advocate N.C. Ashok Kumar represented Prabhakaran.
