The Election Commission ruling on Saturday that it will continue to hear a plea against Aam Aadmi Party's 20 MLAs for allegedly holding the office of profit was welcomed by the BJP and Congress.
Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken also demanded the resignation of all the MLAs on "moral grounds" as they were "illegally appointed" as parliamentary secretaries.
Maken requested the EC to expedite the case. He said on 13 March 2015, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's decision to give VVIP status to the 21 MLAs with facilities like car, plush office space and staff was in stark contrast to the ‘Aam Aadmi’ plank he played to secure votes in the Delhi Elections.
"But if these 20 AAP MLAs have any ethics, they should immediately resign so that the uncertainty that haunts these 20 Assembly constituencies is removed and the people of these constituencies are not put to any difficulty," said Maken. He demanded AAP face the electorate. He said Kejriwal’s party in the recent MCD elections lost all 20 MLA constituency segments where AAP MLAs are facing the office of profit charge.
"On the other hand the Congress secured three out of the 20 Assembly segments in the recent MCD polls. Hence, AAP is frightened to face the people of Delhi again, especially after an epic ‘administrative failure’ in the National Capital. If by-elections are held to the 20 Assembly constituencies, then the Congress would emerge victorious in 15 seats,” he said.
Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said, "This is a welcome step by the EC and now we hope the Commission will give its final decision on this matter very soon because this case has been pending for the last 14 months and it looks like delay in justice."
He said if the EC disqualifies the MLAs and holds election in the remaining 20 constituencies, BJP candidates will win all seats. "Now all these MLAs have no moral or legal rights to continue as MLA. The people of Delhi have already rejected one of these 21 MLAs, Jarnail Singh who had resigned from Rajouri Garden assembly constituency," said Tiwari.
Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta said that to delay the verdict of EC, AAP had been giving various arguments during last two years. "With today’s order by the EC, party stands fully exposed in the matter. Under the constitutional provisions there cannot be more than seven ministers in Delhi," said Gupta.