'Anti-Defection Law Does Not Apply To Voting In RS Polls': 6 'Rebel' Cong MLAs To Himachal Speaker

The six MLAs of Congress argued that they were only given the notice and a copy of the petition filed on Tuesday evening.

The six MLAs of Congress argued that they were only given the notice and a copy of the petition filed on Tuesday evening. ( Image Source :PTI )

Himachal Political Crisis: The six MLAs of the Congress, who were issued show-cause notice for defying the whip for Rajya Sabha elections on Tuesday, appeared before the Speaker along with their lawyer. The MLAs argued that they had not been provided all the relevant documents. The six MLAs were represented by senior advocate Satya Pal Jain before the Speaker.

Jain argued that the MLAs of the grand old party were only given the notice and the copy of the petition filed on Tuesday evening while other annexure were not supplied to them, as reported by news agency PTI. According to rules, seven days' time has to be given to the MLAs for filing the reply the copy of the petition is supplied to them, he said.

The petition has been filed against the Congress against the six party MLAs who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha elections.

According to Jain, there are five or six conditions under the anti-defection law, including seven days' time for reply, which have to be complied with. Even after supplying the copy of the petition, seven days' time has to be given for filing the reply, he said.

Jain underscored that the anti-defection law does not apply on voting in Rajya Sabha elections. He further stated that the Supreme Court has repeatedly said it. "We have urged the Speaker to give at least one week's time as per the principle of natural justice for filing the reply," Jain said.

This comes a day after the grand old party suffered a shocking loss in the hill state after party stalwart Abhishek Manu Singhvi was defeated by the BJP's Harsh Mahajan after six MLAs from the grand old party voted for the BJP candidate. 

Amid a political upheaval in the hill state, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu refuted speculations regarding his resignation. On Wednesday, the Himachal CM clarified that he has not tendered his resignation as the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, PTI reported.