"Essential to strengthen democracy": CM Sukhvinder Sukhu on bill stopping pension of defected MLAs

The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed a bill on Wednesday to revoke the benefits of pensions and allowances of those state legislators who have been disqualified under anti-defection law.

"They want to gain political benefits through such corrupt practices. This Bill was essential to be introduced to strengthen democracy. Our Assembly passed it today through voice vote..."Sukhu told ANI.

The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Allowances and Pensions) Amendment Bill 2024, was introduced by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The bill was passed by a voice vote after strong criticism from opposition MLAs, who labelled the amendment as politically motivated and demanded its withdrawal.

Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu justified the amendment, stating, "The MLAs who have been disqualified by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly will be excluded from pensions and allowances. It will be a significant lesson for those who betray their party for political gain and switch allegiances. They will think a hundred times before changing the party."

CM Sukhu further asserted that this will curb the people violating the anti-defection law.This amendment has significant consequences for six Congress MLAs who were disqualified on February 28 for violating the party whip in the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly.

The disqualified MLAs include Rajendra Rana from Sujanpur, Sudhir Sharma from Dharamshala, Indradutt Lakhanpal from Barsar, Ravi Thakur from Lahaul Spiti, Devendra Kumar Bhutto from Kutlehad, and Chaitanya Sharma from Gagret.

The bill will have a particularly profound impact on Devendra Bhutto and Chaitanya Sharma, who were first-time MLAs. The other four disqualified MLAs have previously held office, and two of them have since regained their seats after winning by-elections as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates. (ANI)