Synopsis
The Manipur Speaker's tribunal is set to review an anti-defection case involving five JD-U MLAs who switched to the BJP shortly after the 2022 Assembly elections. The hearing is scheduled for February 7.Key Takeaways
- Five JD-U MLAs joined the BJP after the 2022 elections.
- Petition for disqualification was filed by Hareshwar Goswami.
- Only Kh Joykishan submitted a counter affidavit.
- Goswami also filed petitions against four NPP MLAs.
- The NPP officially withdrew support from the BJP government in November.
Imphal, Feb 5 (NationPress) The Speaker's tribunal in Manipur is set to deliberate on the anti-defection case concerning five Janata Dal-United (JD-U) MLAs on February 7. These legislators switched allegiance to the ruling BJP shortly after their victory in the 2022 Assembly elections.
The Vice-President of the Congress party in Manipur, Hareshwar Goswami, previously submitted a petition to the Speaker's tribunal seeking the disqualification of these five JD-U members.
According to N. Bupenda Meitei, the lead counsel for Goswami, the Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh reviewed the case on Tuesday and stated that it would be further examined on February 7 (Friday).
During the February-March 2022 Assembly elections, the JD-U contested in 38 constituencies, securing victories in six seats, with five of those MLAs later aligning with the BJP.
The JD-U MLAs who transitioned to the BJP include Kh Joykishan, N Sanate, Md Achab Uddin, L.M. Khaute, and Thangjam Arunkumar.
Only Kh Joykishan has submitted a counter affidavit; the others have not responded.
In addition, last month, Goswami filed disqualification petitions against four National People's Party (NPP) MLAs for supporting the BJP-led government, even though the NPP severed ties with the ruling party in November.
Bupenda Meitei noted that the disqualification petitions were filed against four NPP MLAs for their support to the BJP-led government.
“The four MLAs participated in a meeting with the BJP legislators in November, organized by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, despite the NPP's official withdrawal of support to the government,” Meitei stated.
He referenced the Meghachandra case in the Supreme Court, which mandates that pending disqualification petitions be resolved within three months of filing, expressing confidence that the Speaker would act swiftly on these petitions.
The four NPP MLAs in question are Mayanglambam Rameshwar Singh, Thongam Shanti Singh, Irengbam Nalini Devi, and Janghemlung Panmei.
The NPP, under the leadership of Meghalaya Chief Minister Sangma, officially withdrew support from the BJP-led government in Manipur on November 17, citing a failure to address the ongoing crisis and restore order in the troubled state.
With seven MLAs in the 60-member Assembly, the NPP's withdrawal did not adversely affect the BJP-led government, which maintains support from 37 MLAs, in addition to five from the Naga People's Front (NPF) and three Independents.
Unfortunately, NPP MLA N. Kayisii, who also served as the party's state unit President, passed away on January 18, resulting in six party legislators remaining in the Assembly.
