EC sends notice to Amar Singh on holding 'office of profit'

New Delhi, Mar 10: Even as Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan, facing possible disqualification on charges of holding 'an office of profit', today (Mar 10, 2006) went to the Supreme Court seeking a definition of the phrase, the Election Commission sent a notice to her party general secretary Amar Singh on a similar charge.

The Commission has asked him to reply by March 31. The notice has been sent on a petition seeking his disqualification from the Rajya Sabha on the ground that he was holding an an office of profit, EC sources told sources.

The EC, which has already recommended disqualification of Ms Bachchan on similar grounds, has asked him to file a written reply on or before March 31.

Mr Amar Singh is Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Development Council, while Ms Bachchan is chairperson of the UP Development Council.

Reacting to the news of EC sending the notice, Mr Singh said he had nothing to worry about.

''I have not received any notice so far, but let it come and the law take its course,'' he said.

He said there were so many other leaders, including those from the ruling Congress, who were holding similar kind of posts as he and Ms Bachchan, so the EC should also take a note of that.

Meanwhile, the Commission today denied the charges that its action against Jaya Bachchan and Mr Amar Singh were politically motivated.

''There are unwarranted comments by political leaders in the media casting doubts over the working of the Commission,'' Chief Election Commission B B Tandon said.

UNI