Madras High Court declines to dismiss election petition against Chidambaram

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 Chidambaram seeking dismissal of the petition filed by AIADMK's 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 Chidambaram's election. The court, however, held that Chidambaram should face the case in respect of the other 27 charges.

Kannappan, in his petition filed on June 25, 2009, had alleged that 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.