High Court Delhi dismisses Paswan’s petition against Paras’s selection in the House

The Delhi High Court dismissed a petition filed by Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) MP Chirag Paswan challenging the Speaker’s decision to recognize his uncle Pashupati Paras as the leader of the party in the House. The High Court dismissed the petition saying that the internal disputes of the House are decided by the Speaker.

It is noteworthy that Paras was sworn in as a cabinet minister on Wednesday and Chirag also opposed it.

The petition said that the change of its leader in the Lok Sabha is the prerogative of the party and said that the action of the Secretary General of the Lok Sabha is contrary to the rules of the House and the principles of natural justice.

Dismissing the petition, a bench of Justice Rekha Palli said, the Speaker has the power to decide the internal disputes of the House.

Justice Rekha Palli said, I do not see any merit in this petition and it is a petition without merit.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said the petition was unclear in the context of basic constitutional issues.

Noting that five of the six elected members are not with the petitioner, he argued that the dispute cannot be subject to judicial review.

The petitioner’s counsel submitted that the decision to nominate Paras as the leader of the party in the Lok Sabha and delete Paswan’s name is arbitrary and contrary to the party’s constitution. He argued that the decision has to be taken by the parliamentary board.

Actually, it was said on behalf of Chirag Paswan that Pashupati Paras is not a member of LJP due to his expulsion from the party. Chirag had challenged the decision of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in the court, which recognized the faction of his uncle, Union Food Processing Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras.