CM targets PM; Cong, BJP demand disqualification of AAP MLAs

The refusal of assent to a Delhi bill to shield 21 AAP MLAs from office of profit rule triggered a major row today with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of vendetta politics while the BJP and Congress demanded their immediate disqualification.
Faced with the prospect of fresh polls if the MLAs holding posts of parliamentary secretaries are disqualified, Kejriwal said President Pranab Mukherjee's decision was based on Centre's recommendation and wondered why nobody was talking about legislators occupying similar posts in states like Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab.
Slamming Kejriwal for questioning the President's decision, BJP and Congress said the legislators were not above the law and they must be disqualified at the earliest as it was an "open and shut" case.

"There are Parliamentary Secretaries in Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, West Bengal and across the country. Those in Punjab get Rs 1 lakh per month, car and bungalow as well. But they have not been disqualified. Why only Delhi? Because he (Modi) is scared of Aam Aadmi Party," said Kejriwal.
Kejriwal alleged that Modi was "selectively targeting" his government as BJP was yet to "digest" its defeat in Delhi polls.
President has refused to give his assent to a bill passed by the Delhi Assembly last year seeking amendment in the existing law to insulate the 21 legislators from the purview of of the office of profit law with retrospective effect. The legislators were appointed parliamentary secretaries last year.

The Election Commission is currently examining petitions seeking disqualification of the legislators. The Commission had sought replies from the MLAs in question.

Fresh elections will have to be held if the 21 MLAs are disqualified on the ground of holding office of profit. The AAP has 67 MLAs in the 70 member assembly. The remaining three are BJP legislators.
Rejecting Kejriwal's reference to MLAs holding similar posts in other states, DPCC Chief Ajay maken said the states have amended their laws to allow such appointments. He said no state in India has 21 parliamentary secretaries.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra slammed Kejriwal for questioning the credibility of the President's office and accused him of being "obsessed" about attacking Modi for no rhyme or reason. He asked Kejriwal not to make the President's decision a "political issue".