AAP MLAs disqualification case, EC posts hearing for Aug 29

The Election Commission today posted for August 29 the next date of hearing of a petition seeking disqualification of 21 AAP MLAs for holding office of Parliamentary Secretaries, alleged to be an office of profit.
At today's hearing, AAP MLAs reiterated that the EC should consider only the first petition filed by Prashant Patel, who moved the plea before the poll body on which the President had sought opinion of the Commission.
They said the Commission cannot consider the second set of documents filed by Patel after the President had already sought opinion on the first petition.
They insisted the second set of documents were not maintainable. Patel, however, argued that the second set was not a fresh petition but a response to details sought by the EC.

The MLAs were of the view that EC should have sought the details from Delhi government and not the petitioner.
"Some MLAs said they are not represented by counsels and they should be extended legal aid to hire lawyers. I opposed the move. I said if they produce BPL certificates, then only they can be extended legal aid," Patel later said.
The hearing remained inconclusive and was adjourned for August 29. An earlier date of hearing was not possible as the Delhi assembly is meeting from Monday.