Office-of-profit: Congress seeks disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 11

A delegation of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC), led by its president Ajay Maken, today submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission seeking immediate disqualification of the 20 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs on the office-of-profit issue, pending before the Election Commission.

Besides Maken, other members of the delegation included former MP Mahabal Mishra, former DPCC president and Delhi Assembly Speaker Subhash Chopra, former state minister Dr Yoganand Shastri, former MLAs Harishankar Gupta, Vipin Sharma, Dr Vijender Singh, Prahlad Singh Sahni, Tarwinder Singh Marwah and others.

Speaking to mediapersons, Maken said the DPCC, vide application dated June 9, 2016, had filed in the Presidential Reference matter pertaining to the disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs, had urged for immediate disqualification of the MLAs for holding office of profit.

Maken said, “Among various legal and factual aspects, we had pointed out that the 20 AAP MLAs had been extended facilities and perks, at par with a minister, including office, office furniture and vehicle. Hence, in the garb of appointment as Parliamentary Secretaries, the AAP government virtually appointed 20 additional ministers, with hefty perks and benefits.”

He said these MLAs were still continuing as legislators enjoying all the facilities entitled to MLAs.