UPSC CSE Prelims

Correct Option: B (2 only) Explanation: Section 33(7) of the Representation of the People Act limits simultaneous contests to two constituencies, but Devi Lal contested three seats in the 1991 election before this limit. There is no general party-funded bye-election rule of the kind stated. Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis: 1. Incorrect / does not qualify - Since the 1996 amendment, a candidate may contest at most two constituencies in a simultaneous election. 2. Correct / qualifies - Devi Lal contested three Lok Sabha constituencies in 1991, before the restriction. 3. Incorrect / does not qualify - The stated automatic legal obligation on a party to pay bye-election costs does not exist. Option-wise Analysis: A. Incorrect-includes item 1, which is not valid (Since the 1996 amendment, a candidate may contest at most two constituencies in a simultaneous election); omits valid item 2 (Devi Lal contested three Lok Sabha constituencies in 1991, before the restriction). B. Correct-selects exactly the supported statements/items: 2. C. Incorrect-includes item 1, which is not valid (Since the 1996 amendment, a candidate may contest at most two constituencies in a simultaneous election); includes item 3, which is not valid (The stated automatic legal obligation on a party to pay bye-election costs does not exist); omits valid item 2 (Devi Lal contested three Lok Sabha constituencies in 1991, before the restriction). D. Incorrect-includes item 3, which is not valid (The stated automatic legal obligation on a party to pay bye-election costs does not exist).