AAP MLAs disqualification: Congress, BJP demand Kejriwal's resignation

The Opposition BJP and Congress on Friday demanded the resignation of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after reports of the Election commission recommending disqualification of 20 AAm Aadmi party MLAs in the 'office of profit' case.

Congress leader Ajay Maken said that the AAP appointed all these MLAs as Parliamentary Secretary so that they could avail services and allowances as allowed to a minister. "This was a misuse of public money," Maken said, adding that Arvind Kejriwal should quit on moral grounds.

Airing similar concern, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vijender Gupta said "Disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs is a huge moral defeat for CM @ArvindKejriwal. It has put his leadership in peril. He must resign on ethical grounds."

"Better late than never, EC Election disqualifies 20 AAP MLAs for holding 'office of profit'. The AAP govt has much to answer to the public for their political impropriety as Delhi is headed for mid-term #elections. Will request Hon'ble President for speedy approval, " he further said.

Meanwhile, the AAP rejected EC's recommendations and said that there was no profit in an office of profit case.

"If any media person or anyone has ever seen one of these 20 MLAs any minister like services, then they are welcome to point out. They were never appointed any office, bungalow, or vehicle. There was no profit in an office of profit case," Saurabh Bharadwaj said.

Bharadwaj said that "according to the principles of natural justice worldwide, the person against whom a case is registered, must be heard before a conclusion is reached. He alleged that the EC never heard the case fully and hastened to take the decision."

The Election Commission on Friday decided to disqualify 20 Aam Aadmi Party MLAs for allegedly holding offices of profit as Parliamentary Secretaries. The poll panel has sent its recommendation to the President for his assent.

The entire issue came into existence when on 13 March 2015, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government passed an order appointing 21 MLAs as Parliamentary Secretaries.

OneIndia News