Chidambaram will have to face trial on LS election 2009 case: Madras HC

Rejecting the plea of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram (PC) seeking to quash a petition against his victory in last Lok Sabha election, the Madras High Court on Thursday said that Chidambaram would have to face the trial.

The Madurai bench of the Madras high court on June 9 rejected PC's plea in which he requested to refuse to entertain the plea filled against him by Raja Kannappan of the AIADMK, who challenged Chidambaram's thin margin of 3,354 votes victory.

Kannappan who lost the Sivaganga seat in Tamil Nadu to Chidambaram in May 2009 Lok Sabha polls, had filed a petition in the Madras high court alleging that Chidambaram had manipulated the election.

Chidambaram was earlier declared looser in the counting, but on the appeal of recounting he was declared winner by a thin margin of 3,354 votes after completing fresh recounting.

Challenging this result, Kannappan had move to Madurai branch of Madras High Court.

However the seating judge K Venkataraman has acquitted him from the allegations of cash distribution to voters and 'setting' returning officers to ensure his victory.

Kannappan had alleged that the returning officers were from nationalised banks and Chidambaram was erstwhile Finance Minister. He had accused election officials of "unduly favouring" the minister.

Kannappan had said in his petition that votes in his favour were ingeniously added to Chidambaram's account.

Reacting to the decision of Madras HC, Home Minister Chidambaram said the case was at a preliminary stage. "Issues have not yet been framed. Trial has not yet started. Not one witness has been examined," he said.

Refusing to offer his resignation, he said those who make the demand for his resignation do not realize that it is not a criminal case.