MPHC hearing against CM on Aug 29

Jabalpur, Aug 10 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh High Court will conduct, on August 29, the next hearing on a petition challenging the election of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the Budhni assembly bypoll.

Justice A K Saksena today heard the plea by losing Congress candidate Rajkumar Patel who accused BJP nominee Chouhan of corrupt practices, misuse of power, violation of the Model Code of Conduct and contesting the byelection while occupying offices of profit in corporations and boards.

Petitioners' Counsel Manoj Sharma submitted that the chief minister misused government resources and employed government machinery in his favour. A complaint was lodged with the Election Commission of India (ECI).

On July 7, the court admitted the plea and issued a notice to the Mr Chouhan. Polling was also postponed for 10 days.

''Despite the model code of conduct being in force, 26 ministers of Mr Chouhan's council were camping in the constituency. The Sehore district administration was not even informed of this. Community feasts were organised by BJP office-bearers. The ECI even ordered transfers of the collector and SP,'' the petition said.

Contesting the seat that was vacated by BJP MLA Rajendra Singh, Mr Chouhan defeated Mr Patel by a margin exceeding 36,000.

UNI XC-AC LL VC2212