Speaker dismisses disqualification plea
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 29 2016:
Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Th Lokeshwar has dismissed the disqualification case number 1 of 2014 filed by Manipur State Congress Party vice president Adim Panmei against Sagolband AC MLA RK Imo, Wangjing Tentha AC MLA Paonam Brojen, Keirao AC MLA Karam Thamarjit, Tamenglong AC MLA Janghemlung Panmei and Kangpokpi AC MLA Nemcha Kipgen under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution yesterday.
The case was filed following declaration of merger of MSCP with Indian National Congress on April 1, 2014.Later, Manipur Legislative Assembly Secretary sought clarifications from the president of MSCP and the petitioner.
Notice were issued to the respondents who eventually entered appearance and challenged the maintainability of the petition on various grounds.Both the parties were given sufficient opportunity and time to submit their respective pleas in written with the support of documents and thereafter hearings were held on October 31, November 28 and November 30 last year.
Speaker/Tribunal Manipur Legislative Assembly order mentioned that during the pendency of disqualification case number 1 of 2014, the Election Commission of India after considering the contentions of the rival parties acknowledgedthe merger of MSCP with INC and joining of Adim Panmei (petitioner) to BJP on April 27, 2015 .
Consequently, MSCP which was a State party with a symbol of cultivator cutting crops, was deleted from the State party statutorily maintained by the Election Commission of India, in other words MSCP ceased to exist after its merger with INC and the symbol reserved for MSCP was frozen.
On the other hand, it was observed by ECI that the group represented by Adim Panmei had also joined BJP.