EC denies AAP MLAs hard copies of government response

NEW DELHI (INDIA): The Election Commission (EC) has rejected a plea of 21 AAP MLAs, facing prospects of disqualification for allegedly holding Office of Profit, to get hard copies of response filed by the Delhi government on the issue, saying it is “not under any obligation” to do so.nnThe poll panel also made it clear that the legislators will have to respond by October 17 on a plea seeking their disqualification failing which the Commission will “presume” that they have “nothing to say in the matter” and decide accordingly.nnThe Delhi government had earlier submitted documents before the Commission in this case.nnOn September 8, the Delhi High Court had set aside the appointment of 21 party MLAs as parliamentary secretaries. The court had said the order to appoint them as parliamentary secretaries was given without the concurrence of the Lt Governor.nnIn the last hearing on September 23, the MLAs had sought time to study the high court judgement that set aside their appointment. On October 7, the AAP MLAs were to file a response, but again had asked for an extension.nn”It may be noted that if no reply is received by aforesaid date (October 17), it will be presumed that you have nothing to say and the Commission will take appropriate action without any further reference to you,” the panel told the MLAs in a notice.nnThe petition to disqualify AAP MLAs was filed by advocate Prashant Patel, who has termed the legislators’ move a “ploy” to delay the proceedings.nnThe Commission has also asked Patel to sumbit his rejoinder to the AAP MLAs response by October 21.nnSource: Press Trust of India