M'laya HC takes up poll petition

From A Correspondent

SHILLONG, July 8:  The Meghalaya High Court on Friday took up the election petition filed by Congress legislator Dikkanchi D Shira against Tura MP Conrad K Sangma of the tiol People’s Party (NPP).

On Friday, the Court issued notice to the respondent (in this case Conrad) to show cause as to why the petition should not be taken up for consideration or any other order or orders should not be passed as found deemed fit and proper. According to the Court, the notice is made returble within three weeks.

The Court also said that the petitioner’s counsel is directed to take necessary steps to serve the notice upon the respondent.

The Meghalaya High Court has listed the matter after three weeks for written statement and further order.

During the hearing, Shira was represented by her lawyer, KC Mittal. Mittal, a senior lawyer of the Delhi High Court, is also the head of AICC legal cell. Shira filed the election petition after she lost the May 16 Tura Lok Sabha by-poll to Conrad by a landslide margin of nearly two lakh votes. What shocked the Congress was that out of the 24 assembly constituencies that comprises the Tura Lok Sabha seat, the NPP won in 23 constituencies, including Mahendraganj assembly constituency of Shira. She won only in Ampati constituency which is represented by her husband and Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma.