AAP MLAs seek more time to respond to EC's showcause notice

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs have sought more time from the Election Commission of India to respond to its show-cause notice over their appointment as Parliamentary Secretaries by the Delhi government last year.

As per the notice, the 21 AAP legislators, who were appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries almost a year ago, must file their replies before the ECI by April 11. The notice, which seeks their response on why they should not be disqualified, was issued on the basis of a petition filed before the EC by Delhi-based advocate. The petition alleged that the said MLAs occupied offices of profit in violation of the Constitution of India.

Apart from two women MLAs, including Chandni Chowk legislator Alka Lamba, the list includes prominent AAP legislators such as Dwarka MLA Adarsh Shastri and Rajouri Garden MLA Jarnail Singh.

"On April 8, we sought time from the Election Commission. In response to the notice, we have said that the information asked by the EC needs to be sought from the General Administration Department (GAD) of the Delhi government," said Rajouri Garden MLA Jarnail Singh.

Madanlal, party legislator from Kasturba Nagar, said on April 8, even he has sought time to respond to the notice. However, he is yet to any official communication from the EC about this.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had appointed 21 members of the Delhi Legislature Assembly as Parliamentary Secretaries to Ministers on March 14, 2015. Sources said the MLAs had sought "legal counsel" from the party and the government following which the responses were filed.