Cong approaches ECI, demands quashing of two MLAs' votes

New Delhi [India], Aug 08 (ANI): Congress Party leaders Randeep Surjewala and RPN Singh approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday to demand quashing of votes of two grand old party's MLAs. The Congress said two Congress MLAs showed their votes to unauthorized persons. These MLAs allegedly showed their votes to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah and Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani. While talking to the media party leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, "The INC today went to ECI as two legislators Bhola Bhai Gohil and Raghav ji Bhai Patel had shown their votes not to the authorised person but to the BJP national president Amit Shah, Smriti Irani and to the independent candidate Balwant Singh Rajput. The vote is liable to be rejected as per the verdict of the Supreme Court and under the Section 39 of the Conduct of Election Rules." He further said that the party has requested the ECI to ensure their votes should not be counted and should be rejected. "We have requested the ECI to exercise its constitutional obligation duty that is imposed upon the EC by the constitution to uphold the constitution and to ensure that these people who have disclosed their votes to non-authorised persons their votes should not be counted and should be rejected," he said. He also said that the ECI has assured that they will examine the entire matter. The Congress needs the support of 45 MLAs for victory of party's Rajya Sabha candidate Ahmed Patel who is contesting for his fifth term for the upper house. In 182 member assembly, the BJP has 122 seats including dissident Nalin Kotadiya. While, Congress has 51 MLAs along with seven of Shankarinh Vaghela's camp. NCP has two and JD (U) has one MLA in the house. (ANI)