CHENNAI — State officials have approached the Supreme Court to assert their constitutional right to bypass thousands of waitlisted applicants in order to distribute public employment to families of 31 people crushed to death at the ruling party's own election campaign event.

The appeal follows a July 2026 Madras High Court decision that quashed the government's "humane gesture," warning that unfettered executive power would open the floodgates to chaos. "The High Court fails to understand the realities of governance," said a spokesperson for the newly formed ruling party, whose September 2025 rally resulted in the fatalities. "If we cannot unilaterally hand out state employment to mitigate negative publicity every time our campaign events result in mass casualties, what is the point of executive power?"

The High Court had noted that bypassing existing wait-lists for compassionate appointments violated Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution. However, state advocates argued that standing in an employment queue for years simply lacks the compelling political optics of perishing at a campaign gathering.

"We urge all eligible candidates on the regular employment wait-list to remain patient," the spokesperson added, adjusting a microphone stand bearing the Chief Minister's portrait. "Or, alternatively, to make sure they attend our next major rally."