JUDGMENT :

V.P. PATEL, J.

1. The present Applicant/Original Respondent No. 14-Election Officer, Banaskantha in Election Petition No. 5 of 2019 has filed the present Election Application for the prayers as mentioned in paragraph 6 and 7, which reads as under:

“6. In view of the specific statutory provisions contained in the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the above mentioned decisions of the Hon’ble Courts, it is humbly submitted that the Applicant herein may be deleted as a party respondent and as such his name should be struck off from the array of Respondents.

7. The Applicant therefore prays that this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to:

(A) Allow the present application.

(B) Delete the Applicant and to strike out his name from the array of parties in Election Petition no. 5 of 2019.

(C) Pass such other and further orders as may be deemed necessary and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case.”

2. Heard learned Advocate Mr. Sahil M. Shah for the Applicant and learned Advocate Mr. R.J. Goswami for Opponent No. 1. Though Notice is duly served to Opponent Nos. 2 to 13, they have chosen not to remain present. No Notice is also served to Opponent Nos. 14 and 15. Heard Opponen