Shimla: An election petition was on Wednesday filed in the Himachal Pradesh High Court by a rejected candidate from the Mandi Lok Sabha constituency, challenging the victory of Bharatiya Janata Party BJP) candidate Kangana Ranaut from the seat.
According to counsel for the petitioner, a notice was issued by the court on the petition and respondent BJP MP has been asked to file a reply by August 21.
The petition challenged the rejection of nomination of Independent candidate Laik Ram Negi, a resident of Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.
The petitioner contended that his nomination was rejected before the election despite his fulfilling the criteria.
The challenge to the election in Mandi, made under section 100 of Representation of the People Act, may be declare null and void by the court if the petitioner fails to prove that his nomination papers were rejected illegally.