The Hindu : New Delhi News : Akali Dal yet to seek disqualification of Libra

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Akali Dal yet to seek disqualification of Libra

Anita Joshua

For defying the party whip during trust vote

NEW DELHI: Though the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has expelled the party MP Sukhdev Singh Libra for defying the party whip during the trust vote in the Lok Sabha, it is yet to seek disqualification of his membership from the House.

Till Saturday, the Lok Sabha Secretariat had not received any application from the SAD seeking the disqualification of Mr. Libra – who represents Ropar in Punjab – from the House for defying the party whip to vote against the government in the trust vote. Mr. Libra abstained.

Explain action

Meanwhile, all other 24 Lok Sabha members who either cross-voted or abstained in defiance of their respective party whips are being given an opportunity to explain their actions. Notices have been sent to most of them and, according to the Secretariat, the remaining notices will be dispatched by next week.

In these notices, each member has been asked to explain his/her action and given seven days time to respond. Should a member not respond within the stipulated time, it is for the Speaker to decide on whether more time should be given to him/her.

The BJP, which saw the maximum erosion in its ranks, has moved for the disqualification of eight members.

While Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Somabhai Patel, H. T. Sangliana and Manjunath Kunnur voted for the Government, the other four “rebel” BJP members abstained.

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