HC upholds EC order on two leaves painting on TN buses

CHENNAI: In a setback to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, the Madras High Court today upheld the Election Commission order to cover the painting of leaves on small buses resembling the AIADMK symbol of "two leaves".

A division bench of the court comprising Acting Chief Justice Sathish K Agnihotri and Justice M M Sundresh dismissed the petition filed by Jayalalithaa challenging the Election Commission order.

Reacting to the verdict, Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Kumar said, "We have learnt about the order only today. We will initiate steps as per the court verdict to cover up the two leaves on small buses. The Transport Department has also agreed in this regard".

The EC passed the order to cover the paintings of leaves on small buses recently launched by AIADMK government to provide good connectivity in areas which are not covered by Metropolitan Transport Corporation services.

DMK Treasurer M K Stalin had filed a complaint before the Election Commission against the painting.