The Election Commission on Wednesday issued show cause notices to 27 Aam Aadmi Party MLAs based on allegations of them holding offices of profit, PTI reported. The commission was acting on a petition that sought their disqualification and the MLAs have been given until November 11 to submit their statements.
The petition was filed in June and was sent to the commission by the Rashtrapati Bhawan in October. The MLAs under the commission's scanner include seven legislators, who are already being investigated over similar accusations. The MLAs include Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, Deputy Speaker Rakhi Birla, former deputy speaker Bandana Kumari and ex-AAP MLA Pankaj Pushkar.
The petitioner alleged that the MLAs also serve as chairpersons of the Rogi Kalyan Samitis attached to various government hospitals in Delhi. The petitioner said, "The order of appointing MLAs either by the present government or by the earlier government, as chairperson of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti is wholly illegal.”
Officials said the Rogi Kalyan Samitis were set up by the Sheila Dikshit government in 2009 and that former Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan had announced that members of parliament or members of legislative assembly will be the chairpersons of the committees in 2014.
The party has faced several setbacks in the last few months including the arrest of its members Somnath Bharti and Amanatullah Khan.Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
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