PIL in HC seeks to bar MPs, MLAs from election campaigns

A PIL was filed in the Delhi High Court on Monday claiming that members of parliament and state assemblies are "public servants" under the law and should be prohibited from participating in election campaigns except to the extent of casting their vote.

The PIL which came up for hearing before a division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal would be heard on November 23.

The plea said that during their tenure, elected representatives should not try to gain political mileage by indulging in political activities.

It sought directions to the central government to treat members of parliament and state assemblies as "public servants" and prohibit them from participating in any political activities during the tenure of their office.

The plea filed by retired police Sub-Inspector Mohan Singh said: "Ministers and sitting members of parliament and legislative assemblies and prime ministers who are public servants within meaning of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, should also be treated as public servant in equal manner as other public servants of government."

It added: "It should be presumed that they will only work for the nation and not for any political party during the tenure of his/her office."

--IANS

gt/ask/vt