Election Commission notice to 27 MLAs over office-of-profit

The Election Commission issued a showcause notice to 27 AAP MLAs on a new petition seeking their disqualification for allegedly holding office-of-profit that may see the party defending another set of its legislators in a legal battle. The poll body has sought their response by November 15.

The notice issued by Vijay Kumar Pandey, director (law), on behalf of the poll body, to the 27 legislators caught in the office of profit row read: “I am directed to refer to the aforesaid matter and to inform you that the hearing in this matter for final arguments is scheduled to be held on November 15, 2016 at 3.30 pm at the commission’s office.”

Sources confirmed that notices have been issued. The MLAs have been asked to file their responses by November 11.

Among 27 MLAs are seven legislators against whom the EC is already considering a similar plea for holding the office of parliamentary secretaries. The complaint against 27 MLAs, including Somnath Bharti, Alka Lamba and Rakhi Birla, claims that these MLAs are all chairpersons of Rogi Kalyan Samitis in various government hospitals and hold offices of influence.