(1.) The applicant in both these applications is the first respondent/Returned Candidate in the election petition. The first respondent herein as the election petitioner challenged the election of the applicant herein from No. 217 Ottapidaram (SC) Assembly Constitution (Tamilnadu) in the election held on 16.05.2016, as null and void and consequently to declare him as duly elected member of the said constituency.
(2.) The following are the grounds of challenge in the election petition:
(3.) The applicant/first respondent filed these two applications one for striking out the pleadings in paragraph 3 to 35 of the election petition and the other for rejecting the election petition itself as not maintainable.