Court summons MP on poll irregularities

The petitioner M Chandregowda, a Congress leader, had moved the High Court stating that the victorious BJP candidate from Bellary SC and St reserve constituency, in collusion with election officers had conducted irregularities during polling and counting.

He said that the candidate is not qualified to contest polls under section 4 of Representation of the People’s Act- 1951.

According to him, Shantha belongs to Boya community in Ananthapur district of Andhra Pradesh, which is a backward community. She had allegedly submitted a false certificate as Valmiki, on the basis of a certificate obtained from Tahsildhar, Bellary on April 2, 2009. The petitioner pointed out that she had also obtained a certificate as Boya in Andhra Pradesh on April 8, 2009 and despite the matter being raised during scrutiny of certificates, it was not heeded by the officials.

 Her victory margin was only 2243 votes and several incidents during the polling and counting showed that officials colluded with her to ensure her victory, the petitioner contended, seeking the Court to declare her victory as invalid and declare the Congress candidate as victorious. Justice N Anand, has summoned her. The matter has been adjourned to October 8.