President of Delhi Unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Manoj Tiwari, on Sunday welcomed the President’s nod to the Election Commission’s recommendation to disqualify 20 MlAs of ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Tiwari said the President’s approval has “protected” India’s democratic values. Tiwari also demanded for repaying of the benefits enjoyed by the 20 disqualified MlAs as Parliamentary Secretaries.
“People of Delhi feel that the AAP MlAs must now return all financial benefits they were given from the day they were appointed as parliamentary secretaries,” stated Tiwari. “With the disqualification of 20 AAP MlAs, truth has triumphed,” Tiwari said.
He said the disqualification of MlAs had taken place 20 months ago, the horse-trading during the Rajya Sabha elections (in Delhi) would not have taken place.
leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta said, “No one is above the law. It is clear from the decision that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had illegally appointed 21 Aam Aadmi Party MlAs as Parliamentary Secretaries which he should not have done as these appointments fall in the category of office of profit.” Gupta also blamed the constitutional authorities like Election Commission of India, Judiciary and the Office of President which should be condemned strongly,” he added.
Meanwhile, in a related development, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the MlA from Rajouri Garden seat said he will move to court to get Kejriwal disqualified for appointing the MlAs to the office of profit which led to their disqualification.