Karnataka polls: Apex court dismisses Pramod Muthalik’s plea against Congress manifesto

Bengaluru, Nov 10: The Supreme Court of India today refused to intervene in a plea by Rashtriya Hindu Sena chief Pramod Muthalik, who alleged that the Congress party in its election manifesto in Karnataka is seeking votes in the name of religion. The allegation is rubbished as baseless by the Congress party.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud said the election process has started and it cannot intervene.

The Assembly election in Karnataka will be held on May 12, 2018 in 223 of the 224 constituencies. The results are scheduled to be announced on May 15.

In a short order dismissing the petition, Chief Justice Misra, speaking for the Bench, said after the election is over, if the parties feel aggrieved, they can come under the requisite provisions under the Representation of People Act.

Mr. Muthalik had also sought directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to delete the Congress party’s alleged appeal in its manifesto.

Advocate Vishnu Jain had argued that there is a seven-judge Bench judgment which prohibits seeking of votes in the name of religion.

The plea had sought disqualification of those Congress candidates who are allegedly seeking votes in name of religion in the Karnataka polls. The Assembly election in Karnataka will be held in 223 of the 224 constituencies.