Bar MPs, MLAs from campaigning: PIL in Delhi HC

New Delhi, October 24

The practice of ministers and sitting Members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies participating in poll campaigns for their parties has been questioned in a PIL, filed in the Delhi High Court.

The petition contends that ministers, MPs and MLAs are public servants and under the law, public servants are prohibited from participating in elections except to the extent of casting their vote.

The matter was listed on Monday before a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal.

However, as the bench did not sit today, the matter has been listed for hearing on November 23.

The petitioner has contended that after MPs and MLAs are administered the oath of office, “it should be presumed that they will only work for the nation and not for any political party during the tenure of his/her office”.

“Whether MPs, MLAs, ministers and prime ministers who as public servants within meaning of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, should also be treated as public servant in equal manner as other public servants of Government,” petitioner Mohan Singh, a retired Sub-Inspector, has said in his plea.

Singh has said that elected representatives, during their tenure, should not be trying to gain political mileage by indulging in political activities.

He has sought directions to the Centre to treat MP/MLAs as public servants and a “direction to prohibit MPs/MLAs from participating in any political activities during tenure of their office”. — PTI