EC urged not change law to save 19 Delhi MLAs

New Delhi, Mar 16: The Election Commission was urged today not to let Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit convene an emergent Legislative Assembly session to rescue 19 ''beleaguered MLAs'' facing disqualification as occupants of offices of profit.

The request was made to Chief Election Commissioner B B Tandon by South Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Vijay Jolly who earlier petitioned President A P J Abdul Kalam against the 19 MLAs.

Mr Jolly told journalists in front of the EC Office that the President had referred the matter to the EC which had served notices on the MLAs seeking response by May 22.

He said the Emergent Session proposed to be held on May 18 ''is a move to save its beleaguered MLAs'' and prevent her having to head a ''minority government.'' He said the Dikshit government currently has 47 Members and a loss of 19 would reduce its strength to 28-- eight short of simple majority.

He said the government planned to add ''a long list of offices of profit that do not attract disqualification'' to save the 19 MLAs against whom EC proceedings have already been initiated.

He requested the EC to ''pass necessary orders to restrain and prevent the Emergent Session of the 3rd Legislative Assembly of the NCT of Delhi against introducing, debating and passing a Bill without retrospective effect'' on office of profits on May 18.

UNI

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