The Election Commission has forwarded a complaint, made by Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy against Congress general secretary and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi to Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer for instructing the Amethi Returning Officer for taking appropriate action.
Dr. Swamy in his complaint alleged that Mr. Gandhi filed a false declaration in his election affidavit during the 2009 Lok Sabha poll.
The Commission, in its letter dated November 15, recalled the instructions it had given in June 2004 mentioning that the RO concerned was the appropriate authority to look into such complaints (against the candidates). The Commission asked the CEO to keep it informed of the action taken on the matter. The Commission also enclosed the original complaint of Dr. Swamy to the CEO so as to be forwarded to the RO.
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Dr. Swamy alleged that Mr. Gandhi had given false information that he had no shares and debentures in companies. This was a “blatant lie,” whereas, he owned shares in the Associated Journals which ran the now-defunct National Herald newspaper, Dr. Swamy claimed. Filing a false declaration was an electoral offence, the Janata Party leader pointed out and sought action against Mr. Gandhi.