As many as 27 MLAs belonging to Aam Aadmi Party face disqualification over office of profit allegations. President Pranab Mukherjee has referred the petition to the Election Commission of India and asked for an investigation into the matter, Aaj Tak reported.
It is alleged that these MLAs were appointed chairpersons of Rogi Kalyan Samitis at various government hospitals in the national capital. According to the guidelines set by the union government, only the health minister, local MP, district panchayat chiefs or health officers can be appointed chairpersons.
This comes as a latest shock to the ruling party in Delhi, whose 21 MLAs are facing disqualification. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has given the legislators time till October 17 to explain why they should not be disqualified as MLAs after being appointed parliamentary secretaries.
A delegation of AAP leaders led by Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia will meet the President to discuss the issue. Last year, the President had turned down the AAP government’s bill seeking exclusion of the post of parliamentary secretary from office for profit category.
After coming to power in 2015, the Arvind Kejriwal government had appointed 21 legislators as parliamentary secretaries, citing that such a move will help in smooth functioning of the government.
Last month, the Delhi High Court quashed these appointments after the government admitted that the procedure took place without the approval of the lieutenant governor.
