‘Jharkhand order on RS polls a victory on corruption’

With the Jharkhand High Court dismissing a petition challenging the Election Commission’s (EC) order countermanding voting for two Rajya Sabha seats from the state, Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi Thursday termed it as a success against corruption.

“One more success against corruption. Time to feel good,” Quraishi said on micro-blogging site Twitter.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also welcomed the court order, saying it was a good step. “The court has asked the state government to get the matter probed. It is a good step and we welcome it,” said BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman.

The Jharkhand High Court dismissed the petition of Congress nominee for the Rajya Sabha Pradeep Balmuchu. The court also dismissed a PIL of Jayshankar Pathak, a Congress worker, challenging the poll panel order and slapped a fine of Rs.1 lakh on him.

Balmuchu had Tuesday challenged the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) move to cancel polling for two seats from the state to the upper house following charges of horse-trading.

The ECI had recommended to President Pratibha Patil to cancel the notification for the two Rajya Sabha seats after Rs.2.15 crore in cash was seized on the outskirts of Ranchi on polling day March 30. The money was seized from an Innova car coming to Ranchi from Jamshedpur. It was suspected to be payoffs for getting a favourable vote from some legislators.