AAP Demands Disqualification Of 116 BJP MLAs In MP For Holding 'Office Of Profit'

The AAP demanded disqualification of 116 BJP MLAs for allegedly holding office of profit, after 20 of its own MLAs were disqualified for the same. 

A day after the President gave nod to EC's recommendation to disqualify 20 of AAP legislators for holding 'office of profit', AAP Madhya Pradesh convenor Alok Agarwal reiterated the party's demands to disqualify 116 BJP MLAs in the state. The current strength of the BJP in the 230-member MP Assembly is 165.

"We had complained about 116 MLAs in Madhya Pradesh for holding office of profit a year and half ago. Till today, nothing has happened," he said.

Agarwal said he will bring it to the notice of newly appointed Madhya Pradesh governor Anandiben Patel. 

"In almost all states where BJP is in power, MLAs get office of profit posts. It is quite clear that there is one law that allows BJP to wallow into corruption while there is another that discourages honest leaders of AAP against stopping BJP from doing corruption," The Times of India quoted him as saying. 

Following a protest at the EC office here, the party said the action against the BJP's 116 MLAs should be taken under articles 191 (1) and 192 of the Constitution and The Representation of People Act, 1951. 

In a huge setback before the Delhi by-polls, 20 of AAP MLAs were disqualified by President Ram Nath Kovind for holding office of profit. The president gave his assent to the EC's recommendation. 

According to Clause (a) of Article 102 of the Constitution, "a person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being a member of either House of Parliament, if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State, other than an office declared by Parliament by law not to disqualify its holder." 

The disqualified MLAs were appointed parliamentary secretaries to assist ministers with their work by the AAP dispensation, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in clarification. 

Kejriwal claimed the disqualified MLAs were not given a single penny by the Delhi government.

"I had given responsibility of various works to these 20 MLAs. They were asked to take care of schools, hospitals, mohalla clinics. One MLA was given the responsibility of public schools.

"This MLA used to visit school to check if teachers are present in public schools and spend from his own pockets to carry out this work. We have not given single penny to these 20 MLAs," Kejriwal said at a gathering during a Basant Panchami celebration here.

The chief minister said that he is not afraid of the BJP as he is on the way of truth and the people of Delhi are with him.

(Inputs from agencies)