Disqualification of AAP MLAs: Delhi Bypoll May be Delayed

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) claimed today that the Delhi High Court has asked Election Commission not to declare bypoll in Delhi till court is hearing the case.

According to AAP, the court has restrained the Election Commission from taking any action in this case till the next hearing date which is on Monday.

RMN News Service cannot independently confirm AAP’s claims.

Earlier on Sunday, 20 AAP MLAs who were accused of holding ‘office of profit’ as Parliamentary Secretaries were disqualified by the President of India Ram Nath Kovind on the recommendation of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

A Congress leader Ajay Maken has said that after Sunday’s disqualification of 20 MLAs of AAP, 27 more legislators may be disqualified.

Delhi High Court Asks Election Commission not to declare by-polls in Delhi till court is hearing the case.
HC restrains EC, asks it not to take any ‘coercive action’ till the next date of hearing on 29/01/2018.
HC asks for records of case from EC. pic.twitter.com/KC8V79erQO

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) January 24, 2018

Now the number of AAP MLAs is reduced from 66 to 46 in the 70-member Delhi Assembly. And if 27 more are disqualified, AAP will be left with only 19 MLAs in the Assembly.

Meawhile, both opposition parties – Congress and BJP – have started preparing for the mid-term election in Delhi, assuming that it will be held for at least 20 seats.

Photo courtesy: Congress