The Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed petitions filed by PMK founder Dr. S. Ramadoss seeking recognition as party president and exclusive rights over the party’s ‘mango’ election symbol.
The petitions sought directions to the Election Commission of India to recognise Ramadoss as the Pattali Makkal Katchi president and to restrain others from using the party’s official symbol. He also sought an interim order to prevent the release of the Tamil Nadu Assembly election notification until his leadership claim was decided.
During the hearing, it was submitted that internal party elections and related proceedings were subject to consideration and that appropriate representation had to be made before the competent authority. The court declined to grant the reliefs sought and dismissed the pleas.
The High Court also cautioned against filing repeated petitions on similar grounds and observed that the petitioner must pursue remedies in accordance with law before the appropriate forum.
The dismissal is seen as a setback to Ramadoss amid the ongoing leadership dispute within the PMK over control of the party and its election symbol.
