NCP appeals against Cong MLAs holding offices of profit

Shillong, Mar 29 (UNI) NCP MP from Meghalaya Robert Kharshiing and five party legislators have appealed the President and the Election Commission to disqualify 26 state Congress legislators for holding offices of profit.

NCP's members camping in New Delhi told UNI over phone that the party leaders including state party leader A K Sangma yesterday sent separate letters to the President, Supreme Court and Election Commission to disqualify the MLAs for holding dual posts like the offices of Chairman, Deputy Chairman of various autonomous boards and official committees.

They also cited the case of Congress MLA RG Lyngdoh who is the Chairman of Meghalaya Economic Development Council, enjoying the rank of Deputy Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, the state government has started hectic parleys with legal experts in the wake of disqualification of Rajya Sabha member Jaya Bachchan and subsequent resignation of Ms Sonia Gandhi from the Lok Sabha.

The Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government has been given to understand that there was no connotation of office of profit in the rule book that governs the state.

Official sources said the state government had consulted the state Advocate General Anil Sharma with regard to the public representatives holding additional posts in various Boards and Committees.

Coming out clearly on applicability of 'office of profit' in Meghalaya, Mr Sharma reportedly confirmed that no clause on 'office of profit' was incorporated in the Meghalaya Prevention of Disqualification Act, 1972 - the law which governs the eligibility of a public representative in any House.

The government held an emergency meeting with its coalition partners and asked its member MLAs to continue in their respective posts until the government brings any amendment to the existing Act.

UNI PRS SP SS1716