CHENNAI, May 27: A Congress worker owing allegiance to former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president, K Ramamurthy, has challenged in the Madras High Court the manner in which party elections are being conducted in Tamil Nadu. He has alleged large scale inclusion of bogus voters in the electoral rolls and violation of the party constitution and rules.

The civil suit was filed by B Damodaran, who contested the Lok Sabha elections from Chengalpattu on behalf of the Congress (Tiwari) last year. When the case came up before vacation judge, Justice R Balasubramanian, counsel for the plaintiff sought an interim stay on the polls, slated to end on June 9 with the election of the PCC president.

However, the judge declined to grant `ex parte' stay and ordered issue of notices returnable on June 3 to the AICC, represented by its president, Sitaram Kesri, the TNCC, represented by its ad hoc president, KV Thangkabalu, and the PRO, Jagdish Tytler.

Under the party rules, publication of draft rolls of primary and active members, calling for objections to the rolls and disposal of the objections were conditions precedent for holding the election, Damodaran said.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.