Jayalalithaa's remark contempt of court: Chidambaram
New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) Home Minister P. Chidambaram Tuesday hit back at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, saying her remarks on an alleged voting fraud questioning his election to the Lok Sabha amounted to contempt of court.
"I have learnt that she has made a statement questioning my election to the Lok Sabha in 2009. She knows that her candidate Raja Kannappan has filed an election petition in the Madras High Court which is pending since September 2009. Her statement is, therefore, gross contempt of court," Chidambaram said in a statement.
At a press conference in the capital, Jayalalithaa alleged that the data entry operator in the Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu transferred votes secured by AIADMK candidate Raja Kannappan to Chidambaram's credit in the 2009 general elections.
"This is how this fraudulent victory was secured," she said, adding, "He (Chidambaram) should resign."
The chief minister said her party candidate had filed a case in the Supreme Court challenging Chidambaram's election. According to official records, Chidambaram defeated his AIADMK opponent by 3,354 votes.