The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday set aside the plea against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s election from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat citing lack of evidence to back the petitioner’s argument, reported PTI. “No material has been placed on record to make the petition triable,” the court said.
The judge observed that the plea was “half-hearted”, reported The Indian Express. The court said the arguments made by petitioner Ajay Rai were “vague” and “based on media reports”. Rai is a Congress legislator from Pindra in Uttar Pradesh. He was the Congress candidate from Varanasi for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
In his petition, Rai had said that there were discrepancies in Modi’s nomination papers, besides challenging the ruling party’s expenditure on the poll campaign. He had also challenged the PM’s election saying that the Bharatiya Janata Party used religious sentiments to get votes.
All of Rai’s allegations were rebutted by Modi’s lawyers who said the pleas was “not maintainable” and urged the court to dismiss it.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!