MP: Legal opinion sought from AG on disqualified BJP MLA

Madhya Pradesh Assembly Secretariat has sought a legal opinion from the Advocate General to decide whether disqualified BJP MLA Prahlad Lodhi can be allowed to attend the winter session of the state Legislature starting from December 17.

Assembly Speaker N P Prajapati had earlier this month disqualified Lodhi after a Bhopal court sentenced the Pawai MLA and 12 others to two years in jail for attacking Raipura tehsildar R K Verma in August, 2014 for seizing a tractor smuggling sand. However, the Madhya Pradesh High Court later stayed the conviction and sentence.

Ever since the high court's stay, the opposition BJP and the Congress government in the state have been at loggerheads over Lodhi's membership.

While the BJP wants Lodhi to be allowed to attend the Assembly proceedings due to the HC stay, the government says the legislator would not be given entry into the House as he stands disqualified.

Talking to PTI on Friday, state advocate general Shashank Shekhar, said, "The Assembly Secretariat has sought a legal opinion on Lodhi's status."