M A I N   N E W S

Kalam’s decision on Jaya likely today
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 7
J. Abdul Kalam consulted legal and constitutional experts on the issue of disqualification of Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan following the opinion by the Election Commission, she sent a letter to Dr Kalam requesting him to seek a fresh opinion of poll panel after hearing her.

“The President is examining the whole issue, including consultations with legal and constitutional experts,” a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesman said.

Sources indicated that Dr Kalam, who held hectic consultation throughout the day with legal and constitutional experts regarding the opinion tendered by the Election Commission and views of the experts on the subject, could accept or reject the view of the poll panel before his departure to Myanmar and Mauritius tomorrow.

The Election Commission had acted on a reference from the office of the President following a complaint sent to him by one Madan Mohan that Jaya was appointed Chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh Film Development Corporation after becoming a member of the Rajya Sabha.

“Wherever the matter, it be remitted back to the Election Commission of India to give proper hearing and for passing fresh orders after considering all materials,” Jaya Bachchan said in her letter to the President.

Referring to media reports about the recommendation by the commission that she be disqualified on the ground that she held an office of profit, Jaya said its “opinion” was given in the absence of the most fundamental document with regard to her appointment as Chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh Film Development Board, which is lying in sealed cover under the orders of the high court.