RJD OPPOSES, EC MAY DEPOSE IN CHAPRA

30 April 2004, (ANI)

Patna, Apr.30 (ANI): Bihar's ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has raised strong objections to the BJP's demand for countermanding elections to the Chapra Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar, which is being contested by its chief Laloo Prasad Yadav and Union Civil Aviation Minister and BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy.



The RJD has alleged that the central government and the BJP are putting pressure on the Election Commission to order a re-poll in the constituency. It said that such a move would set a bad precedent and raise doubts about the credibility of the EC.



The RJD also said that a joint delegation of secular parties would soon meet the Election Commission and urge it to take a fair and honest decision.



On Thursday, the Election Commission ordered an inquiry into allegations that Laloo's men had rigged the polls in Chapra. The RJD retaliated by filing an FIR against Rudy, accusing him of instigating violence in Chapra on polling day.



The EC has decided to send a two-member team to conduct an

inquiry into incidents of booth capturing. Once the factual

position is known, a decision to countermand elections or not will then be taken. (ANI)