1. Karam Singh, an electorate of Hoshiarpur, has challenged election of Shri Kamal Chaudhary, Member of Parliament, respondent in this election petition, on the allegations that the respondent committed corrupt practices as, at his instance, Shri S. S. Ray, Governor of Punjab, convened a meeting of Congress leaders of district Hoshiarpur through the assistance of Deputy Commissioners of Hoshiarpur and Ropar and thus he obtained and procured his help in furtherance of his election. In the election meeting held on 14/11/1989, Shri S. S. Ray called upon the persons present to support the respondent in the election. It is also alleged that Shri S. S. Ray, while acting as agent of the respondent, also committed corrupt practice in the aforesaid manner. It was further alleged that Shri S. S. Ray and the two Deputy Commissioners were Gazetted Officers. The petition having been contested by the respondent, the following two preliminary issues were framed, which are being disposed of by this order after hearing arguments of counsel for the parties as no evidence was required to be produced on these issues :-

(i) Whether the petition does not disclose any cause of action and is liabl