As per Vidhan Sabha record, Kiran still with Congress, says Speaker

Chandigarh, July 27

Haryana Legislative Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta today hit back at Congress’ allegations of being biased in dismissing their petition on disqualifying Tosham MLA Kiran Choudhry.

He said, “As per Vidhan Sabha party position, Kiran Choudhry is with the Congress.” When asked whether she would be allotted a separate seat in the upcoming session of Vidhan Sabha, Gupta said, “No, she would be considered a part of Congress until she resigns or is disqualified.”

At a press conference held today, the Speaker lambasted Congress chief whip BB Batra and Deputy CLP leader Aftab Ahmed. A day earlier, they had alleged that as the Speaker belonged to the ruling party, he would anyway have dismissed their petition. They also said that Gupta was mocking the Constitution.

The Speaker replied, “It is easy to level allegations. The Congress’ law graduates (BB Batra and Aftab Ahmed) has given me a notice on Kiran Choudhry’s disqualification. The notice was not given as per the rules. They should at least see the rule book. They should know that a petition has to be filed.”

He added, “First, they gave notice and then a reminder. When I dismissed their notice, they still didn’t read the rules. I doubt their law degrees.”

The Speaker said that as per the rules on the issue, a petition has to be filed. “Every petition shall be signed by the petitioner and verified by them as per Civil Procedure Code (CPC). Every annexure to the petition shall also be signed and verified in the same manner. They didn’t sign it.”

He said that he couldn’t take suo motu notice on Kiran Choudhry shifting to BJP. “The Congress should look at itself before levelling allegations. In their time, they kept sitting over a petition for over four years.”

According to Congress Deputy CLP leader Aftab Ahmed, the Speaker’s actions had ignored the Supreme Court’s principles laid down in the landmark 2004 judgment of Dr Mahachandra Prasad Singh vs chairman, Bihar Legislative Council, and others. “In this judgment, the Supreme Court had held that the provisions of rules were not so mandatory while also observing that it is the duty of the Speaker to carry out the mandate of the Constitutional Provision i.e., 10th Schedule,” he had added.

Alleges bogus votes in Panchkula

Speaker Gian Chand Gupta said BJP workers had inspected 23 booths in Panchkula where they have found close to 4,000 voters who have either died or shifted to other locations. “People who died 8-9 years ago are still shown alive. It implies that if we survey all 230 booths in Panchkula, 40,000 votes could be found fake. Such a scenario could be there in all constituencies. I don’t think it would be wise to hold polls on these lists. My apprehension is that these are bogus votes. Even Lok Sabha polls took place based on these lists.”