Kangana responds to election petition alleging flawed nomination process for Mandi

Bollywood actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut submitted her response to an election petition in the Himachal Pradesh High Court on Monday. Representing her in the matter, advocate Ajay Chauhan presented the defense before a single bench led by Justice Sandeep Sharma. The case pertains to Kangana’s election from the Mandi parliamentary constituency.

During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer, Layak Ram Negi, sought additional time to file a rejoinder. The court has scheduled the next hearing for four weeks later.

Allegations of Unfair Disqualification

The petitioner, Layak Ram Negi, has challenged the validity of the Mandi Lok Sabha election, claiming his nomination papers were unjustly rejected. He argues that the rejection, based on a minor procedural error, deprived him of the opportunity to contest the election.

Negi, a retired Forest Department employee, asserts that had he been allowed to compete, he might have secured the seat. As part of his plea, he has requested the court to annul the election results and call for fresh elections in the Mandi constituency.

Nomination Rejection: A Procedural Dispute

According to Negi, he submitted the required No Due Certificate from the Forest Department along with his nomination form. However, during the scrutiny process, he was informed that he also needed No Due Certificates for electricity, water, and telephone services related to his government residence.

Although he was given until the next day to provide these documents, his submission was reportedly not accepted, leading to the rejection of his nomination. This, he claims, was an unjust decision that effectively disqualified him from the electoral race.

The petition challenges the election process and raises questions about procedural fairness. The High Court’s decision on this matter could have significant implications for the Mandi parliamentary constituency.