Independent's nomination rejected for UP council polls

Lucknow, Mar 20 (UNI) Nomination papers of an independent candidate were rejected today for the polls to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council on March 28.

With this, 14 candidates are in the fray for 13 Legislative Council seats. The candidates can withdraw their nominations by 1500 hrs today. If even a single candidate backs out, the election of the remaning will become a formality.

Papers of Pradip Singh were rejected after the Congress had lodged 22 objections on his nominations. ''His papers were rejected as they did not meet the specifications under Article 33 and 36 of the Representation of People of India (RPI) Act,'' Principal Secretary (Legislative Assembly) and returning officer to the polls R P Pandey said here.

While Congress Legislature Party member Pramod Tiwari debated on behalf of the party, senior SP leader and state Revenue Minister Ambika Chudhury represented Mr Singh.

A detailed decision on the rejection of papers would be announced in the evening.

Mr Pandey had postponed the hearing for today after Saturday's debate between various parties on the validity of Mr Singh's papers remained inconclusive.

Mr Tiwari said his party had lodged 22 objections on the nomination of Mr Singh. ''He has mentioned 20 criminal cases pending against him. But has failed to show that he is a history sheeter at police station Sangramgarh in Pratapgarh district...there are several other glaring mistakes in his papers,'' he added.

As per the the Assembly strength, the SP and its allies have 235 members (SP-194, RLD-15, CPI(M)- 2, Loktantrik Congress-2, Akhil Bharatiya Congress-1, Unattached-5 and Independent 16) while the BJP has 83, BSP 67 and the Congress 16. One seat is vacant.

In the 13 Council seats at stake, the ruling alliance stands to win eight seats, while the BJP and BSP can take away two seats each. For winning the council seat, a candidate has to secure 29 first preferential votes.

Meanwhile, ruling Samajwadi Party MLC Yashwant Singh today said Mr Singh was innocent, as in all the cases registered against him.

Mr Singh may move the Election Commission against the decision of the returning officer, he added.

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