Directs them to appear before the Commission on October 28
The Election Commission of India (ECI), which so far kept the matter related to disqualification of Bahujan Samaj Party MlA, Uma Shankar Singh and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MlA, Bajrang Bhadhur Singh, from the membership of State Assembly, under wraps, finally summoned the complainant as well as the two MlAs, before giving its opinion on the issue.
The file in this matter which has been dispatched by Bl Joshi, when he was Governor of the State is so far gathering dust. Sources said that ECI issued notices to the complainant along with the two MlAs last week, directing them to appear before the Commission on October 28 and give their side of the story before an opinion could be drawn and forwarded to the Governor for necessary action. Sources confirmed that only the Governor enjoys power to disqualify any member of the State Assembly from being member of the House.
It may be mentioned that BSP MlA Uma Shankar Singh and BJP MlA Bajrang Bhadhur Singh continue to enjoy the power as the Election Commission, despite repeated reminders by the Governor, is not taking any decision on the issue till now. The file was gathering dust at ECI office for more than six months. Interestingly, sources maintained that a powerful group in the BJP is taking keen interest to get the matter delayed while the State Government is also not serious on the issue.
According to report, since the then Governor, Bl Joshi, had forwarded the file to ECI to decide on the fate of both the above MlAs in February last, four reminders have been dispatched to the ECI to decide and sent their opinion after which necessary proceedings would be made against them. The move was made by the Governor on recommendation of finding of the lokayukt (Retd Justice) NK Mehrotra, that duo were indulged in illegal activities by using their positions and procuring lucrative Governments contracts. Since then, Joshi sent three reminders in different intervals seeking a report from the ECI but the Commission remained silent on the issue. Recently, new Governor, Ram Naik, too dispatched a reminder to ECI on July 31 last asking to decide and forward their recommendations for necessary action .against the two MlAs. If ECI would go ahead recommending disqualification, then this will be for the first time that any MlA would lose their membership on account of misusing their position. Earlier, lokayukt recommended to end the membership of two MlAs from the House after charges of illegal practices against them have been found to be true. NK Mehrotra, in his findings sent to state government, had recommended to end the membership of Bahujan Samaj Party MlA, Uma Shankar Singh and Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) MlA, Bajrang Bhadhur Singh from the State Assembly immediately.
Mehrotra than claimed that charges were made against the above two leaders that they misused their position as MlA and took lucrative contracts of Public Works Department. Mehrotra, who has been handed over the above probe in December last year claimed that the enquiry by him found the charges true so they not deserved to remain as MlA any more. Sources said that now the ECI would take legal opinion before forwarding their recommendation to the Governor. Both the MlAs could not be contacted for their reaction on the issue but sources said that they had planned to proceed to court if any adverse move has been made by the ECI.