This Article is From Jun 14, 2016

AAP Has Become 'Khas Aadmi Party' For Power, Says Ajay Maken

AAP Has Become 'Khas Aadmi Party' For Power, Says Ajay Maken

Citing a Supreme Court judgement, Ajay Maken said the 21 AAP legislators were liable to be disqualified even if they did not enjoy the benefits of the post. (File Photo)

New Delhi: Delhi Congress today hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for "illegal and unethical" appointment of its 21 legislators as parliamentary secretaries, alleging the party has become "Khas Aadmi Party" for power.

"The appointment of 21 AAP legislators is not only illegal, but also immoral because the party had come to power promising public service and alternative politics. In no other state in the country, one third of legislators have been appointed as parliamentary secretaries. The appointments were aimed at providing red beacons to the legislators," Delhi Congress President Ajay Maken said.

In a jolt to the AAP, President Pranab Mukherjee had on Monday declined assent to a Delhi government legislation that seeks to protect the 21 AAP legislators on the office of profit issue and they now face the prospect of disqualification.

Mr Maken said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's claim that the parliamentary secretaries were not provided any benefits was "wrong" because they were allotted office rooms and were entitled to transport facility.

Citing a Supreme Court judgement, he said the 21 AAP legislators were liable to be disqualified even if they did not enjoy the benefits of the post.

"The court clearly said in its 2006 judgement that where office carries with it certain emoluments or the order of appointment states that the person appointed is entitled to certain emoluments then it will be an office of profit even if the holder of the office chooses not to receive such emoluments," he said.

Mr Maken also assailed the AAP government for taking charge of the Transport Department from Gopal Rai after Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) started a probe in the alleged premium bus service scam.

The people of Delhi feel cheated by the AAP government. Half the cabinet is facing allegations of cheating, corruption and inefficiency, Mr Maken said.

Either Mr Rai has been found to be guilty in the premium bus service matter or he has been relieved of the charge because of inefficiency due to lacklustre public transport in the city, he said.

Only Transport Department has been taken away from Mr Rai while allowing him to look after 5 other departments which "exposes the excuse" that the decision was taken due to his bad health, Mr Maken added.
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