Sidhu's rival cries foul, demands recounting in Amritsar

Congress candidate from Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency Om Parkash Soni, who was defeated by cricketer-turned-BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, on Sunday demanded a recounting of the votes and said he will move court if it is not done so within two days.

Congress candidate from Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency Om Parkash Soni, who was defeated by cricketer-turned-BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, on Sunday demanded a recounting of the votes and said he will move court if it is not done so within two days.

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Alleging "foul play" during counting, Soni told reporters here that he had met Deputy Commissioner Bhagwant Singh with a request for recounting in the seat. Sidhu was declared elected by a margin of 6,858 votes.

However, on being contacted, Singh denied that Soni demanded a recounting today. He had made such a request yesterday, which was rejected, the Deputy Commissioner said.

He said that during today's meeting, Soni only sought an inquiry into police lathi-charge on Congress activists last evening during which four of his supporters were arrested.

Soni said at the press meet that if recounting is not conducted within two days, he will move the court. The Congress High Command will also take up the matter with the Election Commission in New Delhi, he added.