Papa John’s founder John Schnatter has asked the Delaware Chancery Court to strike what he is calling a “draconian” poison pill plan, saying the measure was intended to silence investors who disapprove of controversial board actions.

In a court filing made public earlier this week, Schnatter said the plan prevented him from talking to other stockholders regarding “critical corporate matters,” including a scheduled vote on the board’s slate of nominees at the company’s annual meeting in April.