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SC dismisses petition against Pranab

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition accusing Pranab Mukherjee of resorting to corruption in soliciting votes in the Presidential poll.

Observing that it cannot be made a theatre of farcical play, bench of justices Aftab Alam and H L Gokhale warned the petitioner advocate Manohar Lal Sharma of stringent action if he comes forward with similar pleas in future.

The bench had initially also imposed a cost of Rs 50,000 on the petitioner but later waived it after the counsel pleaded for mercy. The court warned the advocate that it would not show any sympathy if he comes out with such similar petitions in future.

‘You are trying to destroy the system. This time we are sparing you. if you continue to file such petitions, don’t expect any indulgence from us,’ warned Justice Alam, who headed the bench.

Sharma in his petition had said Pranab Mukherjee ought to be prosecuted under section 7 and section 13[1][d] of the Prevention of Corruption Act as he had been soliciting votes from MLAs and MPs for his presidential election which Sharma claimed was illegal.

The petition had said that Mukherjee being a public servant ought not to seek votes which he was doing even while holding the charge of finance ministry.

If a presidential candidate is seeking votes, what is wrong in it, the bench asked Sharma while dismissing the petition as worthless.

Few days back, the Delhi High court had also dismissed a similar petition by Sharma against Mukherjee.


CONGRESS SLAMS OPPN CONDUCT

The Congress on Friday slammed the  Bharatiya Janata Party [BJP] over its decision to oppose the UPA's presidential nominee Pranab Mukherjee. Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury hit out at the opposition saying, 'I would like to mention that it is regrettable on the conduct the Opposition has shown vis-a-vis the presidential elections and the way they have conducted themselves and reduced the dignity of the election. It is a sad reflection because they seem to be measuring others with their own yardsticks or the standards that they are used to.'

She added, 'It is a pity because I wish they would focus on setting their own house in order. They don’t seem to realise what is happening and they should be looking at Karnataka and the ensuing problems that are happening there and utilise their many talents for setting that right.

The nation is watching and they must realise that they don’t measure others with their ownyard sticks.'

The BJP had earlier alleged that the lunch hosted by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for UPA Presidential nominee Pranab Mukherjee was attended by two convicted politicians who were out on parole and said that it had 'exposed' the politics of Congress.

BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said, 'Congress was exposed as their candidate for the post of President of India was at a lunch ceremony at the Chief Minister's residence of Uttar Pradesh and there were two convicted politicians who were present though they were out on parole.'
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