PIL Seeks Disqualification of 99 Congress MPs Over Alleged Bribery

A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Allahabad High Court aiming to disqualify 99 Congress MPs. The petitioner argues that the Congress's 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee Scheme,' offering financial and material benefits for votes, constitutes bribery and undermines electoral integrity.

A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Allahabad High Court seeking the disqualification of all 99 Congress MPs. The petitioner argues that the party's 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee Scheme' launched during the Lok Sabha poll campaign amounts to bribery under the law.

The PIL also targets the Election Commission of India (ECI) for allegedly failing to act against the Congress campaign. Despite an advisory issued by the ECI on May 2 this year, warning political parties against such practices, the petition claims that the Congress continued distributing these cards, thus compromising the fairness of the electoral process.

The 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee Scheme' reportedly involves the distribution of guarantee cards promising various financial and material benefits in exchange for votes. According to the PIL, this amounts to bribery under Section 123(1)(A) of the Representation of People's Act, 1951, and is punishable under Sections 171B and 171E of the Indian Penal Code.

(With inputs from agencies.)