Plea questioning ex-Ashok Chavan’s assembly election quashed

MUMBAI: In a major relief for embattled former chief minister Ashok Chavan, the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay high court on Thursday dismissed a petition challenging his election to the state legislative assembly. Defeated candidate and former minister of state Madhav Kinhalkar had filed a petition against Chavan, saying the former CM had won the polls due to largescale tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and paid news.
"The court did not accept my contention and dismissed my petition. Once I get a certified copy of the court order, I will move the apex court," Kinhalkar said.
A month after the outcome of the November 2009 polls, Kinhalkar had filed an election petition in December 2009. Kinhalkar had raised two issues—paid news and tampering of EVMs. The former minister submitted that in his capacity as the chief minister, Chavan had issued several advertisements in the local media and was thus able to influence the voters. Secondly, Kinhalkar pointed out that due to massive tampering of EVMs, Chavan had secured a large number of votes leading to his victory. One more application that Kinhalkar has filed for Chavan’s disqualification is pending before the Election Commission.
Chavan contended that there was no substance in Kinhalkar’s allegations and that since the defeated candidate had failed to produce documentary evidence, the petition should be dismissed. Justice R M Borde accepted Chavan’s contention and dismissed the election petition.
After his unceremonious exit in October 2010 in the wake of his alleged involvement in the Adarsh scam, this was a second victory for Chavan. Last week, under his leadership, the Congress retained control over the Nanded-Waghola Municipal Corporation, when it won 41 out of 81 seats.