In the general election held in the month of April 2004, the petitioner and the first respondent (hereinafter referred to as "the respondent") tiled their nominations for 141 Palamaner (SC) Assembly Constituency of Andhra Pradesh. While the petitioner contested on behalf of the Indian National Congress, the respondent represented the Telugu Desam Party. After following the notified schedule in the matter of filing, scrutiny and withdrawal of nominations, polling was held to the constituency on 26-04-2004. The petitioner secured 67,124 votes, whereas the respondent got 67,861 votes. An independent candidate secured 3,029 votes. The respondent was declared as elected.

2. The petitioner filed this Election Petition challenging the election of the respondent. He seeks declaration to the effect that the election of the respondent as Member of the Legislative Assembly representing 141 Palamaner (SC) Assembly Constituency is void. The petitioner states that the respondent is a born Christian, professing Christianity and thereby, she was not eligible and qualified, to contest as a candidate, against a vacancy, reserved for Scheduled Caste. In the Election petition as well as the suppor