Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Mar 26: The Assembly Speaker has reserved his verdict on the political future of Umesh Jadhav, who resigned as Chincholi MLA representing Congress, and has filed nomination papers as a BJP candidate from Kalaburagi Lok Sabha constituency against Mallikarjun Kharge.
As of now, there is no inkling about the acceptance or otherwise of his resignation as legislator of Chincholi, and whether the Congress party's insistence on his disqualification will be upheld. There are also question marks over the acceptance of his nomination papers as BJP candidate from Kalaburagi constituency.
The Assembly Speaker, for the first time in the country, took the unusual step of holding the Adalat of voters from the legislative constituency of Chincholi and listening to their views. After conducting the Adalat on Monday, he said he has reserved the verdict. He said the judgement delivered by the division bench of the high court relating to disqualification petition against minister Zameer Ahmed Khan and others will also be a guiding factor for him to arrive at a decision. He said that he has listened to the views of voters, institutions and organizations from the constituency which is represented by Jadhav.
Advocate, Shashikiran, who appeared on behalf of Congress party, argued for the disqualification of Jadhav as he said Jadhav had joined BJP before his resignation was accepted. He stated that the issue falls under the Anti Defection Act. Advocate, Sudeep, who represented Jadhav, pointed out that Jadhav had resigned on March 4 and joined BJP on March 6 and therefore he cannot be brought under anti defection law.
Ramesh Kumar felt that there are certain lacunae in the rules about disqualification in People's Representation Act. He said that it is up to the Parliament to take a decision, duly observing that even if he is disqualified, Jadhav would still be eligible to fight election from Chincholi.
Jadhav said he will be bound by the decision that might be taken by the Assembly Speaker.