President Ram Nath Kovind has rejected a petition demanding disqualification of 11 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs for allegedly holding the office of profit by serving as chairpersons in district disaster management agencies.
President Kovind took the decision on October 28 on the Election Commission’s observation that such positions do not figure in the “office of profit” category as there is no remuneration by way of salary or allowances.
In March 2017, the petitioner, Vivek Garg, had filed a petition before the President seeking disqualification of 11 AAP lawmakers, including state Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot, claiming that being co-chairpersons of district disaster management authorities in 11 Delhi districts, they were enjoying office of profit.
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The issue was referred to the EC which clarified in August that such positions do not figure in the “office of profit” category.
The poll body also pointed out that no related perks such as staff cars, office space, support staff, telephones or living quarters were provided to the MLAs either.