Bhajan Lal disqualified under anti-defection law

The Times of India 26 March,2008 P. 17 The Times of India

Chandigarh: Pulling down the curtains on a bizarre political drama in Haryana, Vidhan Sabha speaker Raghbhir Singh Kadian on Tuesday announced the disqualification of veteran Congress rebel and former chief minister Bhajan Lal as MLA from Adampur assembly constituency. Ironically, it was Bhajan Lal who had drafted Kadiyan into state politics 10 years ago.

Coming within a week of a similar verdict in the case of Bhajan Lal’s loyalists Dharam Pal Malik and Rakesh Kamboj, the speaker’s decision formalised the former Haryana strongman’s dissociation with the Congress.

The speaker ruled in response to the disqualification petition moved by Congress MLAs Ramesh Gupta, Jitender Malik and Shadi Lal Batra against Bhajan Lal, Ramesh Kamboj, and Dharampal Singh Malik. In his 57-page judgment announced on Tuesday afternoon, the speaker elaborated at length on proceedings that took place until Tuesday afternoon.

But although the disqualification proceedings have ended, the decision is bound to give a new twist to politics in Haryana. Unaware of the political implications of the sacking of Bhajan Lal, an upbeat petitioner, Batra, termed it an example for those who break party discipline.

‘‘Right from the day we filed the petitions, we had been asking them (the sacked MLAs) to clear their stand on issues related to their association with the Congress. Had Bhajan Lal done so, I would have withdrawn the petition. It’s not only his case, I would plead against anybody working against the party,’’ said Batra, the petitioner MLA.

With thanks from The Time of India
©All rights reserved with the Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd
For any query:- legalpoint@aol.in