HC cancels BJP nominee's election as municipality president

Anand, Feb 23 (UNI) Gujarat High Court has canceled the election of BJP nominee Jairaj Patel as president of Anand Municipality and declared Congress-supported Vikas Manch leader Vikas Patel as the president.

This was in response to a petition filed by Mr Patel challenging the election. Mr Patel had petitioned that the last election on November 8, 2005 be declared null and void as two councillors - Anil Patel and Meena Goal - were allegedly abducted by BJP supporters in connivance with police on the eve of the poll and were not allowed to cast their decisive votes.

The returning officer had declared BJP's Jairaj Patel elected as president on basis of toss as he was engaged in 19-19 tie with his rival Jairaj Patel in the 42-member municipality, party sources said.

While two councillors of Congress supported councillors were abducted on grounds of pirated cassette and prohobition, two BJP councillors did not vote by their own will.

However, the court allowed the respondents to appeal to higher court within ten days.

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