Himachal Speaker Kuldeep Pathania: Will soon decide on 6 Congress MLAs’ disqualification

Shimla, February 28

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Pathania today said that he would decide the Congress’ petition seeking the disqualification of its six ‘defiant’ MLAs under the anti-defection law at the earliest.

Pathania, while talking to mediapersons here after a tumultuous day, said that as the head of the Tribunal under the anti-defection law, he had given reasonable time to both parties for filing their replies, so there would not be delay on his part in giving his decision. “Justice delayed is justice denied. The spirit of the law is basically to curb defections so that elected MLAs stick to their parties,” he added.

He said, “The Congress has filed a petition, seeking the disqualification of its six MLAs. Notices have been issued to the six MLAs, as per the provisions of the anti-defection law. The lawyers of the six legislators have arrived and after hearing them and giving them reasonable time, I will decide the matter at the earliest.” — TNS