( 1 ) BY a plurality of less than 123 votes, (123 votes to be exact as reduced from initial margin of 146 votes) on recount of votes in terms of Rule 63 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 (for short 'the Rules'), respondent No. 1 (Surendra Verma), a candidate sponsored by Bhartiya Janta Party was declared elected on 1st December, 1993 from Sonkatcha Constituency No. 277 of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly in the general election held on 27th November, 1993 defecation his main rival, the petitioner, a candidate put up by Indian National Congress. Respondents Nos. 2 to 6, ex parte here, were also in the field and polled poorly. The petitioner has filed this Election Petition under Section 81 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (for short 'the Act') calling in question the election of the respondent No. 1 on the ground specified in Sections 100 and 101 of the Act to obtain triple reliefs as noted below : - (A) To declare the election of respondent No. 1 to be void. (b) To declare consequently the petitioner to have been duly elected. (c) To record a finding about commission of corrupt practice Ex voto.

( 2 ) THE allegation of 'corrupt practice' ma