🧷 Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk

📍 The Question:

Consider the following statements:

1. In India, there is no law restricting the candidates from contesting in one Lok Sabha election from three constituencies.
2. In 1991 Lok Sabha Election, Shri Devi Lal contested from three Lok Sabha constituencies.
3. As per the existing rules, if a candidate contests in one Lok Sabha election from many constituencies, his/her party should bear the cost of bye-elections to the constituencies vacated by him/her in the event of him/her winning in all the constituencies.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 2 and 3

✅ Correct Answer: (b)

🔎 Curiosity Raiser (UPSC factual trap)

UPSC is testing historical practice vs current law.
A past exception is not proof of present permissibility.

🧠 Core Concept Tested

Representation of the People Act, 1951 — limits on contesting constituencies

🔍 Classroom Explanation (UPSC Prelims Focused)

Statement 1 ❌

• Section 33 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 clearly states:
  • A person shall not be nominated as a candidate from more than two Parliamentary constituencies in a general election.
• Hence, contesting from three constituencies is not permitted under current law.

👉 Statement 1 is incorrect.

Statement 2 ✅

• In the 1991 Lok Sabha election, Shri Devi Lal contested from three constituencies.
• This occurred before the legal restriction was enforced.

👉 Statement 2 is correct.

Statement 3 ❌

• There is no legal provision requiring:
  • the political party to bear the cost of bye-elections if a candidate vacates seats after winning from multiple constituencies.
• Such proposals have been discussed but not enacted into law.

👉 Statement 3 is incorrect.

❌ Why the final answer is (b)

• Only Statement 2 is correct.
• Statements 1 and 3 are incorrect.

📘 Enrich Notes (Prelims Value Add)

• RPA, 1951 (Section 33) → Maximum two constituencies allowed
• Earlier practice → Multiple contests were allowed before amendment
• Bye-election cost → Borne by the public exchequer, not the party

📌 Prelims Recall Line
History allowed three; law allows only two.

🧘‍♂️ IAS Monk Whisper

Democracy learns from excess,
and law tightens where history once allowed.