The recommendation of the Election Commission (EC) to disqualify 20 MLAs for holding ‘office of profit’ came as a major blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday. The party leaders called the decision a “vendetta” against the ruling party in Delhi and also accused the EC of being a “letter box of the PMO”.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that such hurdles are just a part of their struggle and justice will finally emerge in their favour.
“When you walk on the path of truth and honesty, there are a lot of obstacles. It’s natural. But the entire visible and invisible powers of the universe come to your aid. God supports you. Because you are not working for yourself, but for the country and society. History is witness to the fact that truth has always prevailed,” he tweeted.
AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj asked if there is no ‘profit’ derived from the positions then how can the MLAs be accused of holding ‘office of profit’.
Against principle
He said that the notification of the Delhi government had clearly mentioned that no financial benefit or perks will be given to the parliamentary secretaries.
He said that these 20 MLAs were neither given a bungalow, an official car, an office or even a piece of stationery from the government.
“In any part of the world, if an inquiry is set up, the accused or the respondents are given a chance to present their case. Not once has the EC called our MLAs for their version. This is against the principle of natural justice,” said Mr. Bharadwaj.
The party also accused Chief Election Commissioner A.K. Joti of favouring the BJP government of the Centre and trying to run down the AAP government in the national Capital.
Ashutosh lashes out
“Mr. Joti will turn 65 on Monday, and will retire. Just two days before that, this is a desperate attempt to please the BJP,” Mr. Bharadwaj alleged.
Senior AAP leader Ashutosh also lashed out at the poll panel, saying the AAP did not think that the EC would ever “touch so low”.
“The EC should not be the letter box of the PMO. But that is the reality today,” he tweeted. Originally, the petition included the name of Jarnail Singh who was the AAP MLA from Rajouri Garden, but he resigned earlier last year to contest the Assembly elections in Punjab.
‘Here to serve people’
Alka Lamba, who is also in the list of MLAs facing the charge, said that she has not enjoyed benefits worth a single penny then how can she and her colleagues be accused of ‘office of profit’.
“Anyone who wants to check can file an RTI and see what we have received from the government. We did not enter politics to gain any personal benefits. We are here to serve the people,” she said.
The MLAs in question also maintained that in the worst case scenario, if the verdict does not go in their favour, the party is confident that it will be able to regain the seats in the by-elections.
The AAP has so far maintained that the post of parliamentary secretary is “not an office of profit” as the MLAs are not receiving any “pecuniary benefit”. The amendment Bill brought by the government has over the past year given a sense of “protection” to the 21 MLAs.
