In a major setback to the Congress, the Andhra Pradesh High Court, on Tuesday, set aside the election of Janardhan Thatraj from the Kurupam Assembly constituency in Vizianagaram district, on the grounds that he does not belong to the Scheduled Tribes community for which the Assembly seat was reserved.
Disposing of a petition filed by Telugu Desam Party leader N Jayaraj, High Court judge Grandhi Bhavani Prasad observed that Janardhan's election was invalid as he does not belong to the tribal community.
It may be mentioned here that Janardhan, a nephew of Environment minister S Vijayarama Raju, won the Kurupam constituency in the 2009 elections, defeating TDP candidate N Jayaraj. With the local Adivasi Vikas Parishad protesting against his election, TDP candidate Jayaraj moved a petition in the High Court, saying that he does not belong to the SC tribe, and even submitted documents to substantiate his arguments.
Delivering the judgment after 3 years, the court gave Janardhan 4 weeks to Janardhan to challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court.
Responding to the High Court's order, Janardhan Thatraj said that he would move a petition in the Supreme Court after seeking legal advice from experts in this regard. (INN)
filed in:Congress, SC/ST, Andhra Pradesh High Court, Legal, TDP