New Delhi, Nov 21: Delhi Civil Supplies Minister Haroon Yusuf's nomination from Ballimaran, which was cleared by the returning officer, has been challenged before the Election Commission. Indian National League (INL) candidate Naved Yar Khan, who was among those who had raised objections to Yusuf's nomination during scrutiny, has filed a petition before the Commission appealing for revision of the November 17 order of the returning officer.
In his petition, Yar Khan alleged that the returning officer for Ballimaran had committed a breach of privilege by making the impugned order clearing Yusuf's nomination which was challenged on the ground that he holds an office of profit as chairman of the Delhi Wakf Board.
Citing the eighth report of the standing committee on labour and welfare relating to the Wakf Bill, 1993, the petitioner said the committee held that it was only the Delhi Legislative Assembly that can pass or declare a law that the chairman of the Delhi Wakf Board may or may not be chosen as a member of the assembly.
''The Delhi Legislative Assembly has not passed any such resolution till date, and therefore the chairman of the Delhi Wakf Board is not qualified to be chosen a member of the assembly.
''Hence the returning officer has no power to allow such a person to be chosen under the law, and thus the impugned order of the returning officer is patently illegal, uncalled for and violative of the law,'' the petition said.
Bureau Report