The Election Commission (EC) on Friday posted for August 29 the next date of hearing of a petition seeking disqualification of 21 AAP MLAs for holding office of Parliamentary Secretaries, alleged to be an office of profit.
At Friday’s hearing, the AAP MLAs reiterated that the EC should consider only the first petition filed by Prashant Patel, who moved the plea before the poll body on which the President had sought opinion of the Commission.
They said the EC cannot consider the second set of documents filed by Mr. Patel after the President had already sought opinion on the first petition.
The MLAs insisted that the second set of documents were not maintainable.
Mr. Patel, however, argued that the second set was not a fresh petition but a response to details sought by the EC.
The MLAs were of the view that the EC should have sought the details from the Delhi government and not the petitioner.
“Some MLAs said they are not represented by counsels and they should be extended legal aid to hire lawyers. I opposed the move. I said if they produce BPL certificates, then only they can be extended legal aid,” Mr. Patel said.
The hearing remained inconclusive and was adjourned for August 29. — PTI
