Amit Shah likely to be suspended as MLA

Accused in Sohrabuddin encounter case,the former minister has not attended last six sessions.

Former Gujarat Minister of State for Home Amit Shah,a key accused in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case who has remained absent from the state Assembly for a long time,is likely to be suspended as MLA in the Budget session starting February 23.

Shah represents the Sarkhej constituency in Ahmedabad district and has got over Rs 9 lakh as salary and perks as a legislator,though he has not attended a single House session since his arrest in July 2010,after which he had stepped down as minister.

When asked,Assembly secretary D M Patel said,As per the constitutional provision under section 190 and the state Assembly rules,any MLA who does not attend Assembly proceedings for 60 consecutive days,he/she is automatically considered as suspended. Shahs 60 days will end in the budget session. He has not attended the last six sessions.

Patel added that any member of the House can move a proposal in the upcoming session to permanently suspend the absent member.

There is a committee of the Assembly for absentee MLAs (presently headed by BJP MLA Fathesinh Chauhan),which can also suggest suspension. However,finally the House would decide by voting whether to suspend a member.

The Supreme Court had,in October 2010,restrained Shah from entering the state after he was granted bail.

Last month,the BJP leader filled an appeal in the SC to allow him to enter Gujarat. The CBI has opposed the appeal.

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Since July 2010,Shah has regularly been getting his salary and allowances as an MLA. Shah still draws his salary and perks (Rs 48,890 per month), said Patel.

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