HC issues notice to BJD MP

CUTTACK: Orissa high court on Monday issued notice to BJD Rajya Sabha MP, N Bhaskar Rao asking him to file reply to a petition challenging
his election. “Bench of Justice Biswanath Rath has directed Rao to present his stand on the matter by September 21,”said Gopal Agarwal, counsel of petitioner.
The direction came in response to a petition filed by Congress MLA Bhujbal Majhi praying court to quash the election of Rao as he had
submitted fake affidavit.Majhi in his petition contended that the BJD leader had mentioned in his affidavit that he had no dues towards
the Government of India but in reality the MP had dues of over Rs 41 lakh towards the income tax department at that time. “Under the
Section 33 of the Representation Act, every candidate has to submit all correct data in Form-26 of the affidavit along with the nomination
papers. But N Bhaskar Rao submitted false affidavit and provided wrong information,”said Gopal Agarwal, Majhi’s counsel. The case will be
heard on September 21.