Kejriwal said President Pranab Mukherjee’s decision was based on Centre’s recommendation and wondered why nobody was talking about legislators holding similar posts in states like Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab. He alleged that Modi was indulging in vendetta politics as BJP was “scared” of AAP and was yet to “digest” its defeat in Delhi polls.
The BJP and Congress were, however, unsparing in slamming Kejriwal, saying his legislators were not above law and demanded their immediate disqualification.
Both the parties said MLAs holding the posts of Parliamentary Secretaries in other states have legal protection.
“There are Parliamentary Secretaries in Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, West Bengal and across the country. Those in Punjab get Rs 1 lakh per month, car and bungalow as well. But they have not been disqualified. Why only Delhi? Because he (Modi) is scared of Aam Aadmi Party,” said Kejriwal.
The President has refused to give his assentto a bill passed by the Delhi Assembly last year seeking amendment in the existing law to insulate the 21 legislators from the purview of of the office of profit law with retrospective effect.
The Election Commission is currently examining petitions seeking disqualification of the legislators. The Commission had sought replies from the MLAs in question. Fresh elections will have to be held if the 21 MLAs are disqualified on the ground of holding office of profit. The AAP has 67 MLAs in the 70 member assembly. The remaining three are BJP legislators.
Rejecting Kejriwal’s reference to MLAs holding similar posts in other states, DPCC Chief Ajay maken said the states have amended their laws to allow such appointments. He said no states in India has 21 parliamentary secretaries.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra slammed Kejriwal for questioning the credibility of the President’s office and accused him of being “obsessed” about attacking Modi for no rhyme or reason.
He asked Kejriwal not to make the President’s decision a “political issue”.
PTI