Synopsis
The Manipur Assembly Speaker's Tribunal has reserved a judgment concerning the disqualification plea against five JD-U MLAs who joined the BJP post-2022 elections. The ruling is anticipated, as it will impact the MLAs' political future amidst ongoing anti-defection discussions involving NPP legislators.Key Takeaways
- The Tribunal has reserved its judgment on the disqualification of five JD-U MLAs.
- Separate notices were served to four NPP MLAs in different anti-defection cases.
- Congress leader Hareshwar Goswami filed the petitions against the legislators.
- The crucial budget session is set to start on February 10.
- The political landscape of Manipur remains dynamic with ongoing legal proceedings.
Imphal, Feb 8 (NationPress) The Tribunal led by the Manipur Assembly Speaker has on Friday reserved its ruling regarding the Congress's request for the disqualification of five Janata Dal-United (JD-U) MLAs who transitioned to the BJP shortly after their victory in the 2022 Manipur Assembly elections.
The disqualification petition was submitted to the Speaker's Tribunal by Manipur Congress Vice-President Hareshwar Goswami, targeting JD-U representatives Kh Joykishan, N Sanate, Thangjam Arunkumar, Md Achab Uddin, and L.M. Khaute.
Lead counsel N. Bupenda Meitei, representing the petitioner, stated that the final hearing in the tribunal concluded on Friday.
Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, after considering arguments from both parties, announced that the verdict is reserved.
“The tribunal’s decision is eagerly anticipated. The outcome of the case remains unclear, and only the final ruling will determine the future of the five MLAs,” remarked a Congress MLA.
During the February-March 2022 Assembly elections, JD-U contested in 38 constituencies and secured six seats.
Meanwhile, the Manipur Speaker's tribunal has also issued separate notices to four National People’s Party (NPP) MLAs concerning different anti-defection matters.
The hearing regarding the NPP MLA case is scheduled for Saturday.
An official from the Assembly revealed that the notices were dispatched to the four NPP legislators following a petition by the Manipur state Congress Vice-President, which sought their disqualification from the Assembly.
Congress leader Goswami, a former bureaucrat, has filed disqualification petitions against the four NPP MLAs for supporting the BJP-led government, despite the party's official severance of ties with the government in November of the previous year.
Goswami's attorney, Bupenda Meitei, mentioned that his client filed disqualification petitions against these four NPP MLAs due to their backing of the BJP-led administration.
“The four MLAs participated in a gathering of ruling BJP legislators last November. This meeting was convened by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, even though NPP National President Conrad K. Sangma and his party had withdrawn their support from the BJP government in Manipur,” Meitei remarked.
The four NPP MLAs are Mayanglambam Rameshwar Singh, Thongam Shanti Singh, Irengbam Nalini Devi, and Janghemlung Panmei.
The NPP, under the leadership of Meghalaya Chief Minister Sangma, had officially retracted its support for the BJP-led government in Manipur on November 17 of the previous year, citing that the CM Biren Singh administration had “completely failed to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy” in the conflict-affected state.
Despite the NPP's withdrawal, the Chief Minister Biren Singh-led government remains stable, as the BJP has the backing of 37 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly, along with support from five MLAs of the Naga People's Front (NPF) and three Independents. NPP MLA N. Kayisii, who also served as the party's Manipur unit President, passed away on January 18 after a prolonged illness, leaving the party with six legislators in the House now.
The important budget session of the Manipur Assembly is set to commence on February 10.
