New Delhi: Two days after the Union Cabinet cleared an ordinance shielding convicted MPs and MLAs, a delegation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Thursday met President Pranab Mukherjee to voice the party's opposition to the ordinance. The BJP urged the President not to sign the ordinance.
"The BJP is opposed to this ordinance and it is unconstitutional, illegal and immoral" said LK Advani after meeting the President.
Sushma Swarj added that the Presdent has assured that he waill take a decision on it only after examining it. "President has assured us that he will examine the ordinance and then only take any decision," said Sushma.
Meanwhile, Arun Jaitley questioned the passage of the ordinance by the government. "When bill is pending before the standing committee of the Rajya Sabha, how can the government bring an ordinance," he said.
The ordinance that was cleared on Tuesday comes as a huge reprieve for legislators who were facing immediate disqualification as they can continue in office despite their conviction. The ordinance is a reversal of the Supreme Court judgement according to which lawmakers convicted of offences with 2 years or more in jail were to be immediately disqualified. The order also barred convicted and jailed leaders from contesting elections after the court also reinterpreted the Representation of People's Act.
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