Gidwani, who lost to independent candidate Arun Mehta in the June 18 biennial Legislative Council elections, has challenged the latter's election.

Gidwani's contention is that election of Mehta should be set aside on the ground that his nomination form violated the Representation of People's Act. Mehta allegedly filed a nomination form, which was signed by a section of Congress legislators.

The said legislators, in a communication to the AICC, have confirmed that they had signed on a blank nomination form, which was subsequently utilised by Mehta.

Prominent among the respondents are N S Pharande, who was subsequently elected chairman of the Legislation Council, Transport Minister Diwakar Raote and Ministers of State Bhai Girkar and Pratapsinh Mohite Patil.