NEW DELHI – Indian President Ram Nath Kovind has sacked 20 lawmakers of Delhi Assembly after they were found taking illegal benefits from their positions.
These lawmakers were alleged to be holding government jobs outside their electoral duties.
Indian Election Commission Office had on Friday recommended removing Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s 20 legislators for drawing salaries from the government jobs outside their prime responsibilities.
AAP, the ruling party in Delhi has called these sacking as illegal and demanded the reinstatement of its statesmen. The ruling party still holds the majority in the government despite the recent purge.
The AAP won 67 of Delhi’s 70 seats in 2015, against just three for the BJP.
Most Indian states do not allow politicians accepting paid work while in the public office as sitting members. Those appointed as ministers are exempt from the rules.
Though some Indian states allow their lawmakers to hold duel government jobs, this practice is still banned in Delhi.
