1. This election petition is filed under Sections 100(1)(b) and 123(4) of the Representation of People Act 1951 (for short R.P. Act 1951) by C.R. Mahesh, who is the defeated candidate in the election held on 16.05.2016, to the (116) Karunagappally Assembly Constituency of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, challenging the election of the respondent R. Ramachandran, who is the returned candidate from the above constituency. Petitioner contested in the election as the official candidate of Indian National Congress (I), the main constituent of the United Democratic Front (for short ‘UDF’ ) and the respondent was the candidate of communist Party of India (CPI) a constituent of Left Democratic Front (for short ‘LDF’).

2. The petitioner’s case is that the respondent and his Chief Election Agent, Mr. Soman Pillai, who is also the Secretary of the LDF Election Committee, Karunagappally, during election campaign had made personal vilification against him by attacking personal character and conduct of the petitioner due to political rivalry. They published notice among the voters of the constituency making personal accusation which are false, on behalf of the Left Democratic Youth Fro