Election to the 20-Karimnagar Local Authorities Constituency, for the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council, was held on 17-03-2007. The petitioner, first respondent and the second respondent contested the election. While the petitioner contested as a candidate of the Indian National Congress, the first respondent contested as a candidate of the Telugu Desam Party. The first respondent was declared to be the returned candidate. This petition is filed to declare the first respondent's election, as a returned candidate for the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council from 20-Karimnagr Local Authorities Constituency, as void and illegal on the ground that he suffered disqualification under Section 9-A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (for short - 'the Act').

Pleadings:

2. A notification was issued, for conducting elections to the 20-Karimnagar Local Authorities Constituency, on 15-2-2007. The last date for filing nominations was 22-02-2007. The nominations filed were scrutinized on 23-02-2007. The last date for withdrawal of nominations was 26-02-2007 and the date of polling was 17-03-2007.

3. The first respondent was hitherto the managing partner of M/s. Marthanda Rao and C