DMK candidate files plea in HC against CM Vijay's election from Perambur Assembly constituency

Chennai, July 7 (PTI) The Madras High Court on Tuesday ordered notice to TVK leader and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on an election petition filed by R D Shekar, DMK candidate defeated in the 2026 Assembly polls from Perambur Assembly constituency here. Justice V Lakshminarayanan posted after three weeks, further hearing of the petition filed by Shekar. Shekar has challenged the election of Vijay on a number of grounds which includes alleged use of children in campaigning contrary to the directions of the Election Commission. Discrepancies in election related documents submitted by Vijay (Form 26) were flagged by the petitioner. It includes two contradictory notarial attestations in his Trichy and Perambur affidavits as if Vijay was before both notaries on the same day. Non-disclosure of his income tax dues and not accounting for expenditure incurred in social media campaigns were cited. Incurring of expenditure in excess of the prescribed limit and campaigning inside a church and temple --corrupt practices under the Representation of People Act-- formed part of the grounds listed by the petitioner. On the same grounds, Inigo Irudhayaraj, DMK candidate defeated in the Tiruchirappalli East Assembly constituency has also challenged the election of TVK founder, Chief Minister Vijay. While Vijay bagged 1,20,365 votes, Shekar secured 66,650 votes in the Perambur Assembly constituency and the former won by a margin of 53,715 votes. Polling was held on April 23, 2026 and results to the TN Assembly polls were declared on May 4. PTI COR VGN ROH