EC rejects demand for Sonia's disqualification as MP

New Delhi, Apr 19 (ANI): The Election Commission has rejected a demand for the disqualification of Congress President Sonia Gandhi as an MP for receiving a foreign award.

Election Commissioners Navi Chawla and S. Y. Quraishi have overturned incumbent Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami's view that an enquiry is necessary to go into the complaint against Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi received Belgium's second highest civilian honour 'Order of Leopold' in November 2006.

The EC's view has been sent to President Pratibha Patil for a final decision.

The controversy arose after a Kerala advocate had sought Gandhi's disqualification for accepting the Belgian honour.

Gopalaswami is believed to have recommended the need for further enquiry into Gandhi receiving the award, while Chawla and Quraishi are understood to have recommended that the enquiry was complete and no further action was needed. (ANI)