After Dharmendra, it's former Union minister T.R. Baalu's turn to get caught in the bigamy net. Baalu is the DMK's Lok Sabha candidate from South Madras.
S. Purushothaman, an Independent candidate has petitioned the EC that in his affidavit before the returning officer, Baalu has mentioned movable assets against himself and two spouses — T.R.B. Porkodi and B. R. Renukadevi.
Purushothaman has told the EC that Baalu has committed an offence under the IPC and the Hindu Marriage Act and should be disqualified.
During the scrutiny of papers on Saturday, AIADMK candidate Bader Sayeed's proposer and Chennai deputy Mayor Karate Thiagarajan objected to Baalu's candidature due to the disclosure that he had two wives. But the returning officer rejected the objection and okayed Baalu's papers.
While Baalu was not available for comment, a senior advocate pointed out that a mere declaration in the affidavit would not disqualify Baalu. "If Baalu's admission is brought to the notice of the enforcing authorities (police) then he can be prosecuted for bigamy," he said.
DMK party president M. Karunanidhi and leader K. Anbazhagan are also said to have two wives.