Mishra moves HC against CM’S ‘low attendance’

THE PETITION CLAIMED KEJRIWAL WAS PRESENT ONLY 7 TIMES IN 2017 THOUGH THE ASSEMBLY HAD 27 SESSIONS

NEWDELHI: Rebel AAP MLA Kapil Mishra moved the Delhi High Court on Monday against chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘low attendance’ in the Assembly.

Mishra’s plea, which was urgently admitted in the high court, sought directions to the L-G and the speaker to ensure the presence of Kejriwal and reply to the questions of the people. It also sought that the L-G and the Speaker should take appropriate steps to ensure presence of all MLAS, including the ministers and the CM in the assembly in at least 75 per cent of the sittings.

The petition claimed that Kejriwal, who also holds the water portfolio, was present only seven times in 2017 although the assembly had 27 sessions. “It is not out of context to state that Delhi faces water crisis ever year,” it said.

Mishra’s petition also alleged that during Question Hour, Kejriwal was not present in the assem- bly in the last 40 months, which “showed how serious the CM was in discussing matters related to the people of Delhi and their development and performing duties expected of him”.

The Aam Aadmi Party refused to comment on the matter.

Mishra also sought an annual performance report from the AAP convener. The matter is likely to be heard on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, AAP leader Sanjay Singh will also file a plea in the Delhi High Court on Tuesday seeking the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the lines of Mishra’s plea.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, he said that the petition could not be filed on Monday as it had to be mentioned before the vacation bench in wake of the summer break at the High Court.

“I had gone to file the petition. But the high court registry informed me that the matter has to be mentioned before the vacation bench which can be done only between 10 am to 12 noon following which it would be filed. I have signed the plea and it will be filed tomorrow,” Singh told HT.

Singh said PM Modi had addressed the 16th Lok Sabha just 19 times out of which five times was to introduce new ministers.