Jailed MPs get into action to be present for trust vote in Parl

Jailed MPs have swung into action to be present for the trust vote and one of them got court permission too.

With the UPA government’s trust vote next week expected to be too close to call, jailed MPs have swung into action to be present for the crucial exercise and one of them got court permission on Tuesday.

The tainted MPs are also being wooed by parties to ensure they do not switch sides when the Lok Sabha meets for a crucial Special Session as rival parties try to stack up numbers at a time when every single vote will count.

Atiq Ahmed, facing trial in a number of criminal cases in Uttar Pradesh, was permitted by a Allahabad court to take part in the voting.

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Special Judge M P Yadav while accepting Atiq’s application directed the jail and administration authorities of Mainpuri, where he is currently lodged, to make necessary arrangements for his visit to New Delhi and stay during the Lok Sabha session.

After being expelled from the Samajwadi Party in January for “anti-party activities”, Atiq has been trying to get friendly with the BSP and the Congress with little success.

The Phoolpur MP evaded a direct reply when asked by newsmen whom he would support during the floor test but cryptically added “everything is possible in politics”.

Atiq’s comment that he was against any deal with the US “where people of India find difficult to get a visa and where even the country’s defence minister is humiliated in the name of security checks” has triggered speculation about his future plans.

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RJD MP from Siwan Mohammed Shahabuddin convicted in a kidnap and murder case today moved the Patna High Court seeking its permission. Shahabuddin, who is lodged in Siwan jail, had gone to Delhi to take part in the last presidential elections after getting court approval.