Disqualify Durgapal under Anti-Defection Law: BJP

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 24

Taking strong exception to the manner in which independent MLA Harish Chander Durgapal was re-inducted into the Congress, the state BJP submitted a memorandum, addressed to the Speaker, through the Secretary, Vidhan Sabha, Jagdish Chander. They sought disqualification of the MLA under provisions of the Anti-Defection Law.

A delegation led by senior BJP leader Prakash Pant, MLA Harbans Kapoor and state BJP vice-president Anil Goyal submitted the memorandum.

“The Congress has flouted the norms and the independent MLA should be disqualified from the Vidhan Sabha under provisions of the Anti-Defection Law,”said Prakash Pant.

Meanwhile, experts say despite attempts being made by the BJP to press for the Durgapal’s disqualification, it will have no impact on the Harish Rawat government that has 28 MLAs.

“Besides, action can be taken only if the MLA had submitted a letter to the Vidhan Sabha declaring his intention to join the Congress. There is no such record. The MLA can continue to maintain that he is an independent MLA inside the House and evade expulsion,” said an official in the Vidhan Sabha.

Meanwhile, a public interest litigation (PIL) by Prakash Pant in the Nainital High Court has been admitted to examine the constitutional validity of the parliamentary secretaries that have been given the Cabinet rank by Harish Rawat. Pant has pointed out that the appointment of the parliamentary secretaries exceeded the 12-member limit of the Cabinet.

“The state Cabinet cannot have more than 12 members and by according the Cabinet rank to the 13 parliamentary secretaries, the government has violated the norms,” he said.