Hearing fixed on Nov 20
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 15 2014 : The disqualification petition filed against Lok Janashakti Party (LJP)'s lone MLA in the Manipur Legislative Assembly Karam Shyam of Langthabal A/C by three individuals would be heard by the Speaker's tribunal at 10.30 am of November 20 .

The disqualification petition was filed on the charge that Karam Shyam still sits in the ruling bench and supports the Congress Government even as LJP president Ram Vilas Paswan is now a Union Minister after switching sides from UPA to NDA.

The petition filed by K Saratchandra of Singjamei Top Leikai, N Momon Meitei of Langthabal Kunja Mamang Leikai and Kh Vimal of Heirangoithong Maibam Leikai on October 18 pleaded the Speaker to initiate disqualification proceedings against Karam Shyam under the Indian Constitution's 10th Schedule and the Assembly (Disqualification Grounds of Defection) Rule 1986 .

After accepting the petition, the Assembly Secretariat has summoned the three petitioners and Karam Shyam to the tribunal at 10.30 am of November 20 .

Disqualification proceedings taken up against five Trinamool Congress MLAs and another five MLAs of MSCP who have now merged with INC have already been completed.

But the judgements concerning some of the MLAs have been reserved by the tribunal.

Taking serious note of frequent defections by MLAs/MPs from one party to another which often paralyse administration, the Parliament passed the Anti-Defection Law.

Although the Anti-Defection Law has already come into effect, 11 MLAs of the 60-Member Legislative Assembly have been facing disqualification petitions.

This figure is quite high as compared to other States of India.

Comment