In a major setback to Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party, President Ram Nath Kovind today approved recommendation of disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs by the Election Commission for holding office of profit.

The EC had on Friday asked the president to disqualify 20 of its MLAs, setting the stage for their ouster from the assembly.

The commission said the party MLAs, by occupying the post of parliamentary secretaries between March 13, 2015 and September 8, 2016, held offices of profit, and were liable to be disqualified as legislators, highly-placed sources said.

Parliamentary Secretaries assist ministers with their work.

The AAP insisted that despite holding the office these MLAs did not take any salaries or perks.