President’s order disqualifying 20 Delhi MLAs unconstitutional, dangerous for democracy: AAP

The AAP has also approached the Delhi high court seeking a stay on EC’s recommendation. The court has listed the case for a hearing on Monday.

Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday described President Ram Nath Kovind’s order disqualifying 20 of its MLAs for holding offices of profit as “unconstitutional” and “dangerous for democracy”.

The disqualifications of the 20 MLAs — including Delhi’s transport minister Kailash Gahlot — will not pose an immediate threat to the Kejriwal government, which has 66 legislators including these people in the 70-member House. (HT File Photo)

The president on Sunday accepted the Election Commission’s recommendation to disqualify the 20 AAP MLAs.

Madanlal, one of the 20 disqualified MLAs, said that all hopes hinge upon the judiciary and the party is expecting some relief tomorrow.

Reacting to the development, senior AAP leader Ashutosh said, “President’s order to disqualify AAP MLAs is unconstitutional and dangerous for democracy.”

Alka Lamba, who is among the 20 AAP MLAs disqualified, said the decision was “painful” and the president should have heard them out before arriving at any conclusion.

The AAP MLAs had also sought time from the president.

The AAP MLAs were appointed parliamentary secretaries and their appointment was described as them holding offices of profit by a petitioner.

The AAP has also approached the Delhi high court seeking a stay on EC’s recommendation. The court has listed the case for a hearing on Monday.

“We are expecting relief from the court. Our petition is coming up for hearing tomorrow,” Madanlal, who represented the Kasturba Nagar constituency, said.