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Shocking: EC Disqualified 20 AAP MLAs!

By:  Tupaki Desk   |   19 Jan 2018 10:53 AM GMT
Shocking: EC Disqualified 20 AAP MLAs!
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Election Commission on Friday disqualified 20 MLAs of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for holding 'office of profit'. A recommendation has been sent to President of India in this regard. If President approves it, The strength of AAP in Delhi Assembly drops to 47 from the existing 67.

In 2015, Lawyer Prashant Patel sent an application to President's Office questioning the appointment of AAP MLAs as Parliamentary Secretaries. Thereafter, Congress moved a petition with Election Commission in 2016 seeking disqualification of 21 AAP MLAs. Whereas, MLA Jarnail Singh was given an exemption after he resigned as Rajouri Garden MLA to contest Punjab Assembly Polls in February 2017.

In June 2015, Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP Government passed amendment to the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification) Act, 1997 to exempt the post of Parliamentary Secretary from Office-of-Profit. AAP argues Parliamentary Secretary doesn't qualify for Office of Profit as the persons appointed can't receive any monetary benefit. However, Then President Pranab Mukherjee didn't approve the amendment and even the Delhi High Court set aside the appointments. Now, EC disqualified as many as 20 Legislators of the Ruling Party.