Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Friday denied the allegation that he had indulged in electoral malpractices during the 2009 Parliamentary elections.
In his counter-affidavit filed in the Madras HC in response to an election petition from Raja Kannappan (AIADMK) challenging his election from the Sivaganga constituency, Chidambaram said he had not indulged in any such activities or authorised anyone, including his son, to distribute money to the voters.
Justice K Venkataraman, before whom the case came up for hearing, directed the other respondents in the case, to file their replies by July 20. The allegation of bribing the voters was too vague to constitute corrupt poll practice, he added.
With regard to the allegation that Karthik had attacked one Anbazhagan with a stick, Chidambaram said the charge was wild and reckless.