Sangma team wants probe into charges against Pranab

In their bid to disqualify Pranab Mukherjee from the Presidential elections, NDA nominee P A Sangma’s representatives have approached the Election Commission with two more instances of office of profit the UPA nominee is holding. 

The three-member team, made of Sangma’s lawyer Satpal Jain, his election manager Bhartruhari Mahtab and Janata Party chief Subramaniam Swamy, also conveyed their displeasure over the way the returning officer had dismissed their previous complaint against Mukherjee. 

Subramanian Swamy sought action against Mukherjee on the grounds that he continues to hold two more offices of profit - as Vice President of Birbhum Institute of Engineering and Technology and Chairman of Rabindra Bharti Society.

After hearing their submission, the EC, led by their chief V S Sampath, has asked the delegation to give a written complaint by Monday.

Jain told Deccan Herald that the team has lodged a complaint against RO V K Aghnihotri as he failed to exercise his jurisdiction by not recording his findings while dismissing the petition against Mukherjee. 

He said there are other forums to settle the issue.  As per Section 5E(3) of Presidential and Vice Presidential Election Act of 1952, he is bound to decide whether Mukherjee’s signature at the time of submitting his resignation to Indian Statistical Institute was genuine, Jain remarked.

According to article 324 of the Constitution, the Election Commission is well within its power to settle issues arising during elections.

The delegation has sought the intervention of the EC to give directions to the RO to scrutinize their complaint and give a proper order.

"Our request is not unusual as there are many instances of past Presidential elections where the EC has even cancelled the poll after finding irregularities and ordered a fresh one," Jain said. 

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal rapped Sangma for raking up fresh allegations against Pranab .