EC refuses to derecognise Congress

The Election Commission on Tuesday rejected the petition of Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy, seeking derecognition of Congress, alleging that the party violated IT laws by giving Rs 90 crore interest-free loan to Associated Journals Pvt Ltd (AJPL).

In its reply to Swamy’s petition filed before the Commission on November 3, the poll body said that the plea of Janata Party chief was “not maintainable” and asserted that “if the party has not complied with any of the provisions of the IT Act, 1961, as alleged by you that matter does not fall within the jurisdiction of the Commission”.

The Commission stressed that the provisions of Representation of the People Act, 1951 “provide for the manner in which the political parties may raise their funds. There is, however, no provision whatsoever in that Act prescribing the manner in which the political parties may use those funds”.

The poll panel after its full-strength meeting led by Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath said that the ground cited by Swamy seeking derecognition of the party does not fall under any of the grounds specified under paragraph 16A of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 for such derecognition.