Party in the name of father?

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Friday confirmed that it has received two applications for registration of new political parties using YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s name.

While the first application seeking registration as ‘YSR Congress Party’ has already been rejected on technical grounds, the second — named YSR Praja Party — is still being scrutinised by the Commission.

Interestingly, the applications for both parties were submitted by individuals belonging to Kadapa, the constituency of YSR’s son, Jaganmohan Reddy. The Kadapa MP is on a collision course with the Congress.

In a statement, the EC said an application in the name of ‘YSR Congress Party’ for its registration was received from by Mr Mahaboob Basha on November 13, 2009. Mr Basha was mentioned as the president of the proposed party. The application had claimed that the party was formed on September 18, 2009.

“Registration as a political party is granted under section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. As per sub-section 2(b) of aforesaid section 29A, the application shall be made within 30 days next following the date of formation of the association or body,” the EC said.

But on examination, the EC found that the application was time barred as more than 30 days had lapsed between the formation of the party and request for its registration.

Mr Basha again approached the EC on December 29, 2009 arguing that only an association was formed in September and that it was converted to a political party on November 5. “The facts as claimed by the petitioners were not borne out from the petition. Therefore, the request of the applicant could not be acceded to and the applicant was informed of the Commission’s decision,” the EC statement said.

The second application came from Mr S Venkataramana Reddy, also from Kadapa, seeking registration under the banner of ‘YSR Praja Party’. The plea received on July 5, 2010 is being examined by the EC.