SC Rejects Congress Plea Demanding Separate Rajya Sabha Bypolls In Gujarat
Mumbai: The Supreme Court Tuesday rejected a plea of Gujarat Congress leader Tharshbhai Dhaney, in which challenging the decision of the Election Commission to conduct separate elections for two vacant Rajya Sabha seats in the state was challenged.
The top court has reportedly said that the only way to challenge the elections is to contact the Election Panel and file an election petition. The Congress party had demanded that the by-elections for two vacant seats in Gujarat should be together, as it was felt that it could win one of the two Rajya Sabha seats vacated by Shah and Irani.
In particular, due to the election of two Rajya Sabha seats in Gujarat, Amit Shah and Smriti Irani, they were vacant for Lok Sabha from Gandhinagar and Amethi respectively.
Earlier on 15th June, the Election Commission had announced by-elections to six Rajya Sabha seats – Gujarat (2), Bihar (2), Odisha (2) on July 5. In a statement, the Commission had clarified that vacancies for the by-elections for all are held by the Rajya Sabha, the Houses are considered as “separate vacancies” and separate notifications are issued and separate elections are held, however, Schedule can be the same.
Last week, the Supreme Court had sought a response from the EC by June 24 on a plea of the Gujarat Congress.
(With Agency Inputs)
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