Defection to feature in Speakers' meet
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 03 2017:
Condemning the act of some Congress MLAs for crossing the floor before being sworn in as the party MLAs, MPCC president TN Haokip has expressed desire for the issue to be brought up in the North East Commonwealth Speakers' Conference which will be held at Imphal.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, TN Haokip questioned what the situation would be if the lawmakers themselves break the rules.
He pointed out that according to the Constitution's 10th Schedule, if a Member of the House crosses the floor, then he or she is automatically disqualified.
TN Haokip further mentioned that it was imperative to include a clause so as to disqualify a Member for crossing floors within three days or a fixed period because the Speaker, who is also the House custodian, has a chance of saving the Member.
He said that the clause needs to include a condition which prohibits the Member from contesting elections for a period of six years adding that there appears to be some loopholes in the 10th Schedule.
The former Speaker claimed that the loopholes in the 10th schedule also implied the presence of loopholes in the Constitution and stressed the need for a revision of the Constitution to fix the problem.
TN Haokip claimed that it was unprofessional and unethical for a House Member to cross floor even before being sworn in or without informing the party president.
Claiming that these incidents signify a Constitutional crisis, he further stressed the need for the issue to be discussed (including a possible revision of the Constitution) in the Speakers conference which will be held from June 15 to 17 .