“Whatever action was taken, was done as per rules”: Himachal Deputy Speaker on disqualification of six rebel Congress MLAs

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], March 18 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Deputy Speaker Vinay Kumar has said the action against six Congress rebel MLAs, who were disqualified, had been taken as per rules and the assembly secretariat will reply to the notice issued following hearing in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the disqualification of six Congress leaders of Himachal Pradesh who had cross-voted for the BJP candidate during the Rajya Sabha elections in the state and issued notice to the respondents on their petition challenging the decision of the Legislative Assembly Speaker.

Vinay Kumar said the court has not granted stay on the decision of Assembly Speaker. Bypolls have been announced for the six seats which will be held along with Lok Sabha polls in Himachal Pradesh. “The six MLAs were given notice by the Assembly Speaker as per the rules…today Supreme Court verdict has come…on May 6, hearing will happen again and we will reply to the notice that has been issued to Vidhan Sabha secretariat…whatever action was taken that was done as per the rules,” Vinay Kumar told ANI. Kumar said the matter is sub judice and he will not speak more.

Congress MLA Ajay Solanki accused the BJP of resorting to horse-trading in the hill state.
“This is the first time in Devbhumi that horse-trading has happened. We respect the verdict of the court. The court has not given them relief. There will be by-elections in six assembly segments and the BJP will have to face this,” he said.

Solanki alleged that the BJP was spending money on the stay of disqualified MLAs and said the opposition party will not succeed in its efforts to topple the government. While refusing to stay the disqualification of six rebel Congress MLAs, an apex court bench also denied them permission to vote or participate in the proceedings of the House. The top court listed the matter for the second week of May.

The six rebels were disqualified in February for defying the whip to be present in the House and vote in favour of ruling Congress during the cut motion and budget in the assembly. (ANI)