Chennai, Oct 23
Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin has argued before the Madras High Court that an election petition challenging his victory from the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency was filed after the statutory 45-day deadline.
Justice G. Arul Murugan on Thursday concluded hearing oral arguments on applications filed by Udhayanidhi seeking rejection of the election petition and the striking off of its pleadings.
The petition was filed by P. Milany, who contested against Udhayanidhi in the 2026 Assembly election. Milany has challenged Udhayanidhi’s election, raising allegations relating to his nomination papers and election affidavit.
The dispute comes amid earlier proceedings in which the Madras High Court directed election authorities to provide Milany with certified copies of election-related documents, observing that withholding them could affect his statutory right to challenge the result within the prescribed period.
Under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, an election petition challenging an election must ordinarily be filed within 45 days of the declaration of the returned candidate’s election.
The High Court is considering Udhayanidhi’s objections to the maintainability of the petition. The outcome will determine whether the election challenge proceeds further.