TIL Desk/National/New Delhi/ In a relief for the Aam Aadmi Party, President Ram Nath Kovind has rejected a petition demanding disqualification of 11 party MLAs for allegedly holding office of profit. The October 28 decision of the president rejecting the plea is based on an opinion rendered by the Election Commission, the poll panel said.
Reacting to the development, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said ultimately the truth prevailed. “Satyamev Jayate. Ultimately, truth prevails,” he tweeted. In March 2017, a man named Vivek Garg had filed a petition before the president seeking disqualification of 11 AAP lawmakers, including Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot, claiming that they were enjoying office of profit by being co-chairpersons of district disaster management authorities in 11 Delhi districts.
The issue was referred to the EC, which gave an opinion in August that holding the office of co-chairperson of a district disaster management authority does not attract disqualification as MLA since there is no remuneration by way of salary, allowances, sitting fee. Nor is there any other facility such as staff car, office space, supporting staff, telephone or residence provided, the EC said. As per law, the president accepts the opinion of the Election Commission in cases of office of profit.
