The court agrees to list the case on January 7

Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court for a direction to the Election Commission to allot the 'pressure cooker' symbol to his party for the Tiruvarur bypoll.

Mr. Dhinakaran, represented by senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, orally mentioned his plea before a Bench led by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. The court agreed to list the case on January 7 after Mr. Dhinakaran said the last date of nomination was January 10.

Meanwhile, a local resident of Tiruvarur constituency separately moved the apex court to defer the election till a situation of normalcy was restored in the region, which has been suffering in the aftermath of Cyclone Gaja.

Marimmuthu, the petitioner, said voters have lost their voter identity cards in the natural calamity and the court should intervene to protect their right to vote.

The petitioner cited the severe lack of facilities in what was one of the areas worst-hit by the cyclone. The storm left a trail of destruction, damaging huts, crops and houses of thousands.

The Election Commission has announced the election date as January 29. The counting of votes would be on January 31. The election would be completed on February 2.

The Centre announced ₹1,143 crore of relief for Gaja-affected areas. When Model Code of Conduct is in force, the Centre or State cannot announce any new shcemes or projects. This would further affect relief operations for the victims, the petitioner said.