SC Issues Notices Over Bye-Election Costs..

The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Union Government, the Election Commission of India (ECI) and other parties on a petition seeking to recover the expenses of bye-elections from legislators who resign from the Assembly or Parliament and subsequently contest elections on the ticket of a different political party. The petition raises concerns about the public expenditure involved in conducting bye-elections when elected representatives resign to change political affiliations and seek re-election. The petitioner has also requested details of the expenditure incurred by the government and the ECI for the recently held bye-elections in the Maduranthakam and Dharapuram constituencies.

While admitting the petition, the Supreme Court also issued notices to C. Vijayabaskar, M. R. Vijayabaskar, Esaki Subbaiya and S. Jayakumar. According to the petition details provided, the four resigned as AIADMK legislators and joined Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The notices seek responses from the named parties as the court considers the issues raised in the plea. The proceedings could bring further attention to the financial implications of bye-elections triggered by resignations for political reasons. However, the court has not yet announced a final decision on whether such expenses can be recovered from the legislators concerned.