HC turns down plea to dismiss petition on Chidambaram’s election

Madurai:The Madras High Court on Thursday declined to dismiss a petition challenging the election of Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram to the Lok Sabha in 2009 but struck down two charges of malpractices against him.

Disposing of a plea by Mr. Chidambaram seeking dismissal of the petition filed by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s (AIADMK) Raja Kannappan, who lost to him from Sivaganga constituency by a narrow margin of 3,354 votes, Justice K. Venkatraman of the Madurai Bench of the High Court ordered removal of two of the 29 charges.

The two charges pertained to alleged use of bank officials and banks in connection with Mr. Chidambaram’s election.

The court, however, held that Mr. Chidambaram should face the case in respect of the other 27 charges.

Mr. Kannappan, in his petition filed on June 25, 2009, had alleged that Mr. Chidambaram’s election ‘deserved’ to be declared void due to ‘manipulation’ of votes and ‘corrupt practices’ committed by him, his election agents and others, with his consent.

He had also sought recount of the votes polled in the entire constituency, particularly in the Alangudi Assembly segment.