Stalin challenges TVK's Babu's Kolathur win in Madras High Court

MK Stalin, president of the DMK and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, has filed a petition in the Madras High Court challenging the election of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) candidate VS Babu from the Kolathur Assembly constituency in the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Stalin, who contested from Kolathur, has asked the court to invalidate Babu's victory, alleging irregularities in the functioning and verification of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and VVPATs in the constituency. The petition states that permission was obtained from the Election Commission to inspect the voting machines, after which a team of lawyers led by senior advocate N.R. Ilango examined the EVMs, VVPATs, and control units stored at Chintadripet. The petition alleges discrepancies at six polling stations when comparing EVM votes with VVPAT slips, and seeks cancellation of Babu's election and declaration of Stalin as the winner.