President rejects plea to disqualify AAP MLA for holding office of profit

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind has rejected a petition seeking disqualification of AAP MLA Surendra Singh as a lawmaker for allegedly holding office of profit after an opinion of the Election Commission.

The petition had alleged that Singh had been earning profit from the Public Works Department of the Delhi government as well as from New Delhi Municipal Council.

In an order, the president said the poll panel had opined that Singh was not holding an 'office' under the government within the meaning of section 15(1) (a) of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, as he was a member of the NDMC by virtue of the NDMC Act and the government had no role in its appointment or dismissal.

The commission had earlier rejected a similar plea against Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.