EC rejects 15 nominations for by-elections

Hyderabad, May 13 (UNI) The Election Commission (EC) today rejected the papers of 15 candidates, including that of convicted TDP candidate Ramesh Rathod, after scrutiny of the papers for the May 29 by-elections to four Lok Sabha and 18 Assembly seats.

Andhra Pradeh Chief Electoral Officer I V Subba Rao told reporters here that the nomination of the TDP candidate, who is contesting from Khanapur Assembly constituency, was rejected as his conviction had not been set aside while the sentence had been suspended when he moved the Higher Court.

Hr added that the nominations of 104 candidates are in order so far.

Mr Rao said objections over the nomination of the former TDP minister and Secunderabad TDP candidate Srinivasa Yadav, who had some ''bad debts,'' was overruled and his nomination was accepted.

The nomination of TRS President K Chandrasekar Rao was also found in order in Karimnagar Lok Sabha Constituency along with that of former Congress Minister T Jeevan Reddy and TDP nominee L Ramana.

Other prominent candidates whose nominations were found in order included state government's representative in New Delhi Mallu Ravi of the Congress and former TDP minister M Chandrasekhar in Jedcherla Assembly constituency, former TRS ministers A Chandrasekhar (Vikarabad), T Harish Rao (Siddipet) and former TDP minister K Srihari (Ghanpur-SC).

UNI SM SJ SR RAI2101