After 20 Aam Aadmi Party MLAs were disqualified by the Election Commission for being parliamentary secretaries and thus said to have held offices of profit, the focus has now shifted to Chhattisgarh where 11 MLAs are working as parliamentary secretaries, India Today reported. Congress party called for the disqualification of the 11 MLAs, stating that the same set of rules be applied to the BJP-ruled state.
The parliamentary secretaries in the state have been granted perks in the form of bungalows, cars and staff like ministers, the report added.
At present, the BJP’s strength in the House is of 49 MLAs. Besides an independent and a BSP MLA in the House, the Congress’ tally stands at 39 MLAs.
However, if the total strength is reduced to 79 from 90, it will put the ruling party in a spot. In that case, the halfway mark will be 40 and the BJP will have to depend on other parties and independent candidates, the India Today report said.
The matter had earlier been contemplated upon by Mohammed Akbar, Congress leader from Chhattisgarh. Akbar had petitioned the Governor on the matter, written to the ECI and had also filed a petition in the High Court at Bilaspur.
The matter is in the final stages of hearing.
(With inputs from India Today)
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