Office of Profit: Why the worries for the Aam Aadmi Party are far from over

The Aam Aadmi Party is staring at a huge crisis. The Election Commission of India recommended the disqualification of 20 of its MLAs in an office of profit case. If the President of India grants his consent this would mandate a by-poll in 20 constituencies.

The big problem for the party is that there is another case relating to office of profit pending before the ECI in which the fate of 27 MLAs is at stake.

The pending case relates to the disqualification sought against 27 AAP MLAs. It was alleged that the 27 MLAs are holding office of profit as they had taken up posts of chairpersons at the Rogi samitis of the Delhi government hospitals. This is currently pending before the Election Commission of India and a ruling to this effect is expected in a month or two.

After Friday's ruling, the AAP will not be reduced to a minority in the Delhi assembly.

In this case 11 MLAs are common relating to the Friday case. If this case too goes against the AAP, then it would stand to lose 16 more MLAs.

Based on Friday's recommendations if the President gives his consent then the AAP will be down by 20 MLAs. This would mean that the strength of the AAP in the 70 member Delhi assembly would be down to 46. However if the pending petition also goes against the AAP, then its strength would go down to 30.

OneIndia News