In a major blow to BJP leader and state education and law minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, the Gujarat High Court on Tuesday invalidated his election win from the Dholka constituency in the Assembly elections held in 2017.
Justice Paresh Upadhyay upheld the arguments presented by rival Congress candidate Ashwin Rathod that the 429 postal ballots were cancelled illegally. This is a rare incident in which a sitting law minister’s election has been termed void by the High Court. Chudasama has now option to approach the Supreme Court.
Rejection of an election petition was filed against him by his rival Ashwin Rathod alleging that Chudasama won the election through unfair means.
Chudasama 327-vote victory was challenged by the rival Congress’ candidate alleging misconduct and violation of the poll code in counting of votes.
Ashwin Rathod had demanded re-verification of 429 postal ballots, which were rejected by the returning officer.
During the early part of the hearing, the court had lashed out at the returning officer for not submitting a complete set of video footage of moving camera and CCTV camera of the counting center.
The video footage was played in the court in which Chudasama’s assistand personal secretary Dharmin Mehta was seen moving around inside the counting center illegally carrying out a conversation on phone with Chudasama’s official polling agent Mahendersinh Mandora.
