High court rejects BJP MP Harsh Mahajan’s plea to Dismiss Singhvi’s Petition challenging Rajya Sabha election process
Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source internet
Shimla, Sept 16,
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has rejected a plea by Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan to dismiss a petition filed by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi. The petition, which challenges the election process in the recently held Rajya Sabha elections, was not dismissed, and the court has directed Mahajan to respond within two weeks.
Harsh Mahajan’s legal counsel, Vikrant Thakur, argued in court that Singhvi’s petition was not valid. However, the court declined to accept this argument, allowing Singhvi’s challenge to proceed.
In the Rajya Sabha elections held on February 27 in Himachal Pradesh, despite Congress having a majority in the state assembly, the BJP candidate, Harsh Mahajan, emerged victorious. Congress held 40 out of the 68 seats in the assembly, while the BJP had 25 seats, and three independents supported the government. However, during the elections, six Congress MLAs and three independents reportedly voted against the Congress candidate, resulting in both candidates securing 34 votes each.
Following the tie, the Election Commission used the ballot paper system, which led to Mahajan’s win. Singhvi is now challenging this system in the High Court, questioning the election process. The court is set to hear further arguments on the matter in two weeks.
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