Shimla, Mar 27
The Three independent MLAs who recently joined the BJP after having tendered their resignations, have been served notices by the Vidhan Sabha Secretariat, indicating doubts about their actions potentially being influenced by allurements or inducements.
According to Vidhan Sabha officials, notices have been issued to the independent MLAs Ashish Sharma from Hamirpur, KL Thakur from Nalagarh, and Hoshiar Singh from Dehra constituency, who have joined the BJP.
In the notices sent to these three MLAs, it has been asked that complaints lodged against them by some ministers and MLAs of the Sukhu government have raised questions about the voluntary nature of their resignations.
The notice issued by the Assembly Secretary states that a representation submitted by ministers and Congress MLAs accuses them of tendering resignations under duress and allurements. A case has been filed against an independent MLA under the Prevention of Corruption Act for influencing the election process.
Government ministers also expressed suspicion that the independent MLAs flew away somewhere in a charter flight and remained absent from their constituents for a long time.
Now, the Speaker has issued a notice under Article 190/3(B) of the Constitution and Rule 287 of the Assembly’s Rules, summoning them to appear before him on April 10. The MLAs have been asked to present their replies to the allegations against them to dispel doubts of undue influence.
The Speaker must decide whether to accept or reject their resignations under the prevailing circumstances.
The three independent MLAs have been informed by the Assembly Secretariat that they can also submit their written explanations before the Speaker by April 9, 2024.
The Congress party accuses the three independent MLAs of being involved in horse-trading with the BJP.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has told the media that they voted for BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan in the Rajya Sabha elections based on their conscience. However, there seems to be no logical explanation for their decision to join the BJP and tender their resignations from the Vidhan Sabha, seeking election on BJP tickets.
The BJP and Congress candidates who lost to the three independent MLAs in 2022 have revolted against them, alleging that their resignation after winning the elections raises suspicions of horse-trading.
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