BJP provides Speaker CD against four Ind MLAs

Pratibha Chauhan

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Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 4

The BJP has again filed a rejoinder before Speaker BBL Butail seeking disqualification of four independent legislators from the Assembly, the final decision on which is pending for the last almost two years.

“We have filed a rejoinder with the Speaker earlier this week and are hopeful that the final verdict will be given by the Speaker soon,” said Suresh Bhardwaj, senior BJP leader and Chief Whip of the party in the Assembly. He said that certain video recordings of the four independent MLAs taking part in the meetings and functions of the Congress had been furnished to the Speaker.

The BJP had filed a petition before the Speaker on September 2, 2014 seeking disqualification of the four independent MLAs- Balbir Verma (Chopal), Karnesh Jung (Paonta Sahib), Pawan Kajal (Kangra) and Manohar Dhiman (Ganggath). The BJP had said that the four MLAs had issued several statements as Associate Members of the Congress, which was solid ground for their disqualification. The disqualification has been sought under the Anti-Defection Act.

Butail confirmed having received a CD from the BJP. “It is two days back that they have handed over a CD to me and a rejoinder on their plea. I will examine it minutely to substantiate BJP’s allegations,” he said. Butail also said that he would decide the case soon after the monsoon session. “I had asked them to furnish an original document, signed by the four independent MLAs which the BJP has failed to furnish so far,” he said.

Bhardwaj said the original document that the Speaker had sought was the one in which the four MLAs had pledged support to the Congress government led by Virbhadra Singh and signed as associate Congress members.

If the Speaker rejects the petition, the BJP can move court. At present, the Congress has 36 MLAs, the BJP 27, four are independents, while the Himachal Lokhit Party has one MLA. Their disqualification could put the Congress regime under threat.