AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa on Friday challenged the Election Commission order to conceal the painting of leaves on small buses plying in Chennai and said it is “contrary to law and fact” and deserves to be set aside.
In her affidavit before the High Court, which will come up for hearing before the First Bench on Monday, Jayalalithaa said that the order issued by Election Commission proceeds on a total misconception that the painting on the small buses resembles the party symbol of the AIADMK.
“It is based on assumptions and presumptions and is not supported by the facts of the case,” she submitted.
Quoting the Election Commission’s order, she said that the order had directed no interference with regard to the gate of the MGR Memorial, which was constructed before the model code of conduct came into force. Hence, the same would apply to the paintings on the small buses since these buses had been plying on the road much before the model code of conduct came into force. “In fact, the design of four green leaves was painted on the buses much before the date of the election notification, to contemplate that the buses were eco-friendly and to create awareness regarding environment and green revolution,” she stated. Pointing out differences between the party symbol and the design on the small buses, Jayalalithaa said the order passed by the Election Commission deserved to be set aside.
Hitting out at the Election Commission, she said its order cast aspersions on the AIADMK as it proceeded on the false assumption that her party abused its position and printed the party symbol on the small buses with a view to gaining political mileage in the ensuing elections.
“If such reasoning is extended to logical limits, then the use of different political party symbols like the hand, cycle, lantern etc., should be prohibited from being used. It would be open to the Election Commission to say that the rising sun should be covered, the trees having green leaves should be cut, cycles should not be used or be visible and that all hands should be covered because it would amount to advertisement for the respective political parties,” she said.