The disqualification of the legislators is expected to pave the way for by-elections in Delhi
AMN / NEW DELHI
In a major blow to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, AAP party in Delhi, the Election Commission today recommended the disqualification of 20 of its legislators.
They have been found of holding offices of profit as parliamentary secretaries, source said today.
The Election Commission reportedly sent to President Ram Nath Kovind its recommendations on the ‘office of profit’ case against 20 MLAs of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the ‘office of profit’ case.
Though EC officials declined the reveal the recommendations of the EC in the matter, sources said that at the marathon meeting held on Friday, the poll panel had recommended to the President the disqualification of the AAP MLAs.
In August 2017, the MLAs appealed to the Delhi High Court asking it to not allow the EC taking up the Delhi lawyer’s petition. They argued that their appointments to the post of parliamentary secretary were already quashed, in 2016.
If they are disqualified, bye-elections will held for the 20 assembly seats. The ruling AAP has a massive majority in the 70-member Delhi assembly with 67 seats and the disqualification will not endanger the Arvind Kejriwal government. It is, however, a big blow to the party.
