New Delhi, July 17
The CPM today stepped up attack on the Congress on the issue of “taking recourse” to convicted Lok Sabha MPs to save the government even as the Delhi HC granted permission to convicted RJD MP Pappu Yadav to cast vote on July 22.

The CPM Politburo said there were reports that some of the Lok Sabha MPs, who had been convicted for “serious crimes” and who are in jail, were being mobilised to support the government in the confidence vote.

While legally the convicted MPs may get the right to attend Parliament and vote, “There is a question of political morality involved,” the party said in a statement.

“The Congress leadership will be seen by the entire country as taking recourse to convicted criminals for sustaining their government,” it said.

The statement pointed out there were three members who were convicted in criminal cases — Pappu Yadav, Mohammad Shahabuddin (RJD) and Suraj Bhan (LJP).

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court today granted Pappu Yadav, serving life sentence in the Tihar jail here, permission to participate in the trial of strength in the Lok Sabha on July 22.

Justice G.S. Gistani accepted Pappu Yadav’s plea to allow him to participate in the trust vote after his advocate contended that he had earlier been allowed by the court to cast his ballot in presidential and vice-presidential elections.

The Bench also directed the jail authorities to arrange proper security for the MP from Madhepura in Bihar.

While Pappu Yadav was sentenced to life for the murder of CPM MLA Ajit Sarkar, Shahabuddin was awarded life sentence in a case of kidnapping with intent to murder, besides facing charges in the case of murder of a CPI-ML leader Chandrasekar.

Bhan was convicted in a case of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, the statement noted. — PTI