EC gives Amar Singh two weeks to reply

Amar's counsel insisted that his client broke no office-of-profit by heading UP Development Council.

The Election Commission on Friday granted two weeks' time to Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh reply to its notice on a complaint that challenged his Rajya Sabha membership for heading the UP Development Council, his counsel said.

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"The Election Commission granted us two weeks to file our reply after we sought a copy of the complaint, which was provided to us," Singh's counsel Pradeep Rai told reporters.

Rai insisted that his client broke no office-of-profit rules applicable to lawmakers by heading the UP Development Council.

"I just pointed out to the EC that the Council (headed by Singh) is a local body and that it doesn't make him subject to disqualification (as an MP)," Rai, who met the full Election Commission, said.

Also, he maintained that the UP Development Council was set up under a state law.

The Samajwadi Party leader, who was summoned by the Election Commission to file his reply to its notice, made his representation through his counsel as he was currently abroad.