New Delhi: In a major setback to Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, President Pranab Mukherjee refused to go along with a legislation that protects 21 of its MLAs who were appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries, putting a question mark over their membership.
Petitions have been filed with the President seeking disqualification of these MLAs on the ground that they occupied office of profit violating constitutional provisions.
Acting as a quasi judicial body, the Election Commission to whom the President referred the issue, had sought replies of the MLAs.
The Delhi Government had sought an amendment to the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification) Act, 1997.
Through the Bill, the AAP government wanted "retrospective" exemption for the parliamentary secretaries from disqualification provisions.
The Bill was forwarded by Lt Governor Najeeb Jung to the Centre, which in turn was sent to the President with its comments.
After examining the issue, the President has not given his assent to the Bill, official sources said today.
On March 13, 2015, Kejriwal had passed an order appointing the 21 party MLAs as Parliamentary Secretaries.
Shocked by the refusal, AAP immediately held an emergency meeting to deliberate on possible situation if 21 of its MLAs.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal reacted sharply to the development and targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he does not respect democracy and was only fearful of the AAP.
At the meeting, many AAP leaders were severely critical of the Centre as they said President rejected the Bill on the recommendation of the Modi government.
Kejriwal took to the twitter to express his anger. He said no MLA was given a single paisa, car or bungalow in their capacity as Parliamentary Secretary and said they were giving services for free.
"Modiji says all of you sit at home. Should not work," he said adding MLAs were tasked to look after power supply, water supply, functioning of hospitals and schools.
"Modiji says neither will work nor will allow to work," Kejriwal said.
(With PTI inputs)
