Disqualify 20 Delhi AAP MLAs, says EC

Kejriwal says such hurdles natural

NEWDELHI: The Election Commission (EC) on Friday recommended the disqualification of 20 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators for holding offices of profit as parliamentary secretaries -- a move that could lead to fresh elections for these seats and test the popularity of the Arvind Kejriwal government less then three years into its five-year term.

The poll panel sent its recommendation to President Ram Nath Kovind, said an official, adding that the EC’s view was binding. A Rashtrapati Bhawan official confirmed the President had received the recommendation and was yet to send his reply.

Chief minister Kejriwal responded on Twitter by declaring that truth would prevail. “When you are walking on the path of honesty you face a lot of hurdles. It is natural. But all the visible and invisible powers in the world help you on your path. God is with you. Because you are not working for yourself, but for the society. History is witness to the fact that ultimately honesty triumphs,” he said.

Six AAP MLAs approached the Delhi HC to get a stay on their disqualification, but Justice Rekha Palli declined immediate relief as the EC was unable to make a statement on whether it has forwarded a “final opinion” to the President. The matter will next be heard on Monday. The AAP, which has 66 MLAs in the 70-member assembly will be brought down to 46 MLAs if the decision holds — enough to run the government but with its brute majority in the House under threat.

The BJP and Congress welcomed the EC’s decision and demanded Kejriwal’s resignation on “moral grounds”. “Fifteen of their MLAs have cases against them and 12 were arrested under different charges. In this scenario, the biggest question before the people is whether the Arvind Kejriwal government has any moral right to remain in power,” BJP spokesman Sambit Patra said.

Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken echoed his sentiments. “Kejriwal has no right to continue on his post. He should resign,” he said. The Congress is planning to hold a protest demonstration at the Delhi secretariat on January 22 to demand that Kejriwal quit.

But the AAP leaders attacked the poll panel, suggesting that its decision was influenced by the NDA government at the Centre.

Arvind Kejriwal has no moral right to be in power and he should resign... We are happy the EC has taken this decision AJAY MAKEN, Congress He (Kejriwal) got a mandate of 67 seats but it resulted in arrogance. He has stabbed the public in the back SAMBIT PATRA, BJP