Disqualification of 2 UP MLAs in OOP cases historic

In a development unprecedented in the history of Indian democracy, two MLAs – Bharatiya Janata Party's Bajrang Bahadur Singh and Bahujan Samaj Party's Uma Shankar Singh – were disqualified from the UP Assembly on Thursday on charges relating to holding "office of profit". The decision was taken by UP governor Ram Naik after the two legislators had been indicted by the Lokayukta on charges of bagging government construction contracts and holding office of profit.

Bajrang Bahadur Singh represents Pharenda constituency in Maharajganj district while Uma Shankar Singh had won the 2012 election from Rasda in Ballia in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The UP Lokayukta NK Mehrotra had recommended their disqualification. After the recommendation, and a reminder by the Lokayukta, the governor had sought an opinion on the issue from the Election Commission of India.

"Bajrang Bahadur Singh has been disqualified from the date he procured government contract after his election on October 15, 2012 and Uma Shankar Singh from the day he became an MLA on March 6, 2012, as he kept doing the job of a contractor even after getting elected," a statement issued from Raj Bhavan said.

Earlier, the governor had given ample opportunity to the two MLAs to submit their representation with regard to the charges.

In the Lokayukta's probe report submitted to the government in February 2014, both MLAs were found prima facie guilty of misusing their position to grab government contracts worth hundreds of crores of rupees. Both were heading a sole proprietorship firm that was awarded numerous work contracts by the PWD.

According to law, being public servants elected representatives, MLAs or MPs, cannot hold an office of profit under section 9 (A) of the Representation of People's Act and Article 191 (E) of the Constitution.