Following the disqualification of Datia MLA Rajendra Bharti, political war has intensified in the State. On one hand, process of his disqualification from Legislative Assembly was accelerated late on Thursday night, on the other main Opposition party Congress terms it against democratic values of our country. Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti from Datia (he had defeated BJP stalwart Narottam Mishra in Assembly Elections in 2023) was convicted by Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court in a fraud case involving the forging of bank records to obtain illegal interest payments between 1998 and 2011 and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh on Thursday. Later, MLA Bharti has been disqualified from the membership of the House with effect from April 2 (Thursday, itself). State Legislative Assembly Secretariat declared his Datia seat vacant and issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification.

 

What law says? His disqualification comes under provisions of the Representation of the People’s Act, 1951, Article 191(1)(e) of the Constitution, which mandates that any legislator sentenced to two years or more in prison is automatically disqualified. Main Opposition Congress party’s Media Chairperson and leaders alleged that (hinting at upcoming Rajya Sabha elections) the decision of his disqualification has been taken in hurry ignoring the fact that the court gave directions and allowed 60 days time for further appeal. The intent of the court was that within 60 days, he (Rajendra Bharti) could approach for justice. It highlighted an autocratic way of working. Expressing faith in judiciary, State Congress President Jitu Patwari said “keeping the Assembly functioning at late night just to do this undemocratic act reflects what is being called ‘New India’. We have Rajendra Bharti will become an MLA again. we have trust in judicial process.