BJP leader to challenge disqualification in SC

Khargone, MP, July 12 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Parliamentary Cell President and BJP leader Krishnamurari Moghe, who was disqualified from the Lok Sabha for occupying an office of profit, has said that he would challenge the decision in the Supreme Court.

''I have learnt from media about the disqualification though no letter has been received from either the Rashtrapati Bhavan or the Election Commission (EC). A decision of this nature being made just a week prior to the presidential election raises eyebrows as I will be deprived from casting my vote. I will have a discussion with party President Rajnath Singh,'' he told UNI here.

Mr Moghe, who was touring this district, received the news at Maheshwar and forthwith announced that he was returning every government facility.

According to Commission sources, the EC after going over the case, sent its view to President A P J Abdul Kalam -- on June 28, 2006 -- seeking Mr Moghe's disqualification.

The President, perusing the merit of the case, upheld the EC view yesterday.

Under the provisions of the Constitution, Dr Kalam earlier referred to the poll panel a petition seeking disqualification of Mr Moghe, who represented Khargone since 2004.

The matter came up following a complaint filed by Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Jamuna Devi and Congress state supremo Subhash Yadav, who petitioned the President, alleging that Mr Moghe was occupying an office of profit in his capacity as Parliamentary Cell President, which is equivalent to Cabinet Minister.

A bypoll is now on the cards in Khargone.

Mr Moghe is the second MP to be thus disqualified after Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan.

UNI