AAP condemns ordinance to protect convicted legislators

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Sep 25, 2013 at 8:48 PM Updated On : Sep 25, 2013 at 10:27 PM

OST Bureau

Bhubaneswar, Sep 25:

BJD announces more candidates for Odisha Assembly Polls

Sambalpur University Assistant Prof suspended for misbehaviour, objectionable posts on social media

The state unit of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday condemned the ordinance issued by the UPA government yesterday reversing the decision of the Supreme Court according to which legislators convicted and sentenced to two years or more in jail stood to lose their membership of the legislature immediately.

The party today held a demonstration near the Governor’s house and presented a memorandum to the Governor against the ordinance.

“The passing of the ordinance is not only a severe blow to democracy, but also exposes the intentions of the political class which has stooped to a new low to protect the corrupt,” said Nishikant Mohapatra, convenor, AAP Odisha Unit.

“We demand a strong legislation against the corrupt and the criminals,” he said.

Mohapatra pointed to data available with Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), according to which 161 (30%) MPs in Lok Sabha face criminal charges, of which 78 have serious charges against them.

“In Delhi Assembly, there are around 32 (46%) MLAs with criminal cases of which eight MLAs have serious cases,” said Mohapatra, adding that the ordinance passed by the Cabinet had only betrayed the people again.