MLA celebrates birthday, faces charges for disobeying MCC

MLA S Rajakumar was arrested by the Mayiladuthurai police on Sunday for blatantly breaking the model code of conduct (MCC) by hosting hundreds of supporters at his office on his birthday.

On Saturday, S Rajakumar, who is also the president of the district Congress, celebrated his 56th birthday by feeding his followers.

At around 3 p.m. on Saturday, revenue officers in Poompuhar, Sirkazhi, and Mayiladuthurai closed and sealed the offices of MLAs as the nationwide election code went into effect.

In Mayiladuthurai, on the other hand, authorities closed the compound’s office building but left its grounds unlocked. In the evening, the MLA took advantage of this and hosted a biriyani feast for some 500 of his followers. The event was made public on Sunday.

The police filed a case against Rajakumar under IPC sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 447 (trespassing), and 171C (voluntarily interfering or attempting to interfere with the free exercise of any electoral right commits the offence of undue influence at an election) in response to a complaint from the village administrative officer regarding a violation of the election code. Additionally, the MLA’s backers have been scheduled.