SP welcomes disqualification of 4 rebel MLAs

Lucknow, Aug 19: Ruling Samajwadi Party today welcomed the decision of the Uttar Pradesh assembly speaker Mata Prasad Pandey to disqualify four party MLAs for cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha polls and attending a BSP meeting.

Party's senior leader and Rajya Sabha member Bhagwati Singh said here the speaker's judgement would be a landmark in the country's politics. ''The assembly speaker's ruling will prevent MLAs from cross-voting in future Rajya Sabha or other elections,'' he added.

Urging all parties to appreciate the judgement, he said certain norms were necessary for the legislators to obey party leaders and directives.

Mr Singh maintained although it was a harsh decision by party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav to take action against own party MLAs, but it was a historic event and Mr Yadav had set a precedent by such action.

Earlier, the assembly speaker had disqualified four rebel SP MLAs -- Ms Omvati, Kalyan Singh Dohre, Sunderlal and Ratan Lal Ahirwar -- for cross-voting in RS polls held in the state on March 28 and attending a BSP meeting on March 31 last.

UNI