Minutes before the final round of polling for Election 2004 ended, the Election Commission announced the decision to countermand election in all the seven assembly segments of Chapra where Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy has taken on RJD supremo Laloo Prasad Yadav.
The decision follows the report given by a two-member probe team of the Commission which went into allegations of large-scale violence and rigging by RJD supporters during polling on April 26.
The RJD, however, denied the allegation.
BJP's demand for countermanding the election was supported by Samajwadi Party and BSP.
Deputy Election Commissioner AN Jha said the election was countermanded due to large-scale silent booth capturing, inadequate security arrangements, mob violence in many places and terrorising of voters.
He said counting of votes in Chapra is likely to take place two days after the poll on May 31.
Laloo denounces EC decision
In Patna, RJD chief Laloo Prasad Yadav on Monday denounced the Election Commission's decision to countermand the polling in Chapra Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar and demanded repolling under the Army supervision.
Describing the decision as "unfortunate," he said the EC was "misled and was setting a new tradition by countermanding and ordering a repoll."
{{/usCountry}}Describing the decision as "unfortunate," he said the EC was "misled and was setting a new tradition by countermanding and ordering a repoll."
{{/usCountry}}Yadav said that repoll should be conducted under the supervision of the Army and there should neither be Bihar police nor paramilitary personnel.
BJP welcomes EC verdict
The BJP on Monday welcomed the countermanding of the election in Chapra Lok Sabha constituency of Bihar, describing it as a "slap" on the face of RJD chief Laloo Prasad Yadav.
"We welcome the historic decision of EC. Laloo Prasad Yadav and his henchmen were destroying the basic fabric of democracy in the state by unleashing terror on the common voters," party spokesman Prakash Javadekar said.
"This is a slap on Laloo Yadav's face and comment on the conduct of polls in Bihar under the RJD regime," he said, adding, "we hope that the Chapra voters will reject Laloo Yadav in their second chance on May 31 and give another slap on his face."
"Democracy will prevail and win," Javadekar said.