The Supreme Court on Wednesday junked a petition filed by Tamil Nadu based farmer leader P Ayyakannu seeking extension of time for filing nomination in Varanasi to contest Lok Sabha Polls against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The court termed the petition a "publicity litigation" and asked the farmer, "you have been working for 30 years in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, why do you want to contest from Varanasi that too on the last day?"
The court further asked the farmer why the public of Varanasi should vote for him.
The counsel appearing for farmer said that he is a 79-year-old fighting for the cause.
The bench however rejected the plea and further remarked that your purpose of filing the petition has been served, it came into papers, again it will come to paper today.
In April, the farmers association from Tamil Nadu claimed it would field 111 farmers as Independent candidates against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency to protest against his failure to fulfil his election promises.
The farmers association has been demanding inter-linking of the Godavari and Cauvery rivers, remunerative prices for all agricultural produce, waiver of all crop loans, and a monthly pension of Rs. 5000 to all farmers above the age 60.
79-year-old P Ayyakannu, who is the leader of the farmer's association had moved the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Election Commission Of India (ECI) to extend the time for filing the nominations from Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi in order for him to file his nominations.
The top court's dismissal of the petition comes just a day after PM Narendra Modi filed his nominations from Varanasi for the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections.
Reportedly, the 79-year-old farm leader, who hails from Tamil Nadu's Tiruchi had announced a similar plan in 2019. However, he dropped the plan after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and receiving reassurances.