MLA's resignation accepted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 14 2020: The Speaker's Tribunal has accepted the resignation of MLA P Brojen as MLA as it disposed of all pending disqualification cases against the MLA.

Paonam Brojen, who was elected to the State Assembly from Wangjing-Tentha Assembly Constituency in Thoubal district, had submitted his resignation letter to the Speaker on August 10.However, as there were pending cases against the MLA before the Speaker's Tribunal, the resignation matter was left undecided, said Speaker Y Khemchand.

Speaking to media persons this morning, Y Khemchand stated that all pending cases against the MLA have been disposed of and his resignation has been accepted.

He also mentioned that earlier, the Speaker's Tribunal was not able to dispose of the disqualification cases as the High Court had directed the Tribunal to not decide the cases till August 3.About the disqualification case, he said the MLA was not disqualified as there was no evidence to show he had joined the BJP.

Earlier, the Tribunal had disqualified some (Congress) MLAs as there was enough evidence to show they had joined the BJP.

The Speaker's Tribunal did not find any evidence to prove P Brojen had joined BJP and as such all pending disqualification cases against him were disposed of today, said Y Khemchand.

On P Brojen's resignation as MLA, the Speaker stated that the MLA had submitted his resignation letter at around 11.30 am on August 10.The MLA was summoned and he himself acknowledged that he had submitted the resignation letter on his own will.

His resignation was left undecided as there were cases against him.

As the cases have been disposed of today, his resignation has been accepted, said Y Khemchand.

On the conduct of the Assembly session without live TV coverage on August 10, the Speaker clarified that live TV coverage was not arranged due to COVID-19.The Session was conducted without live TV coverage to reduce and minimise the number of people inside the Assembly hall, he said.

"Live TV coverage of the Assembly Session requires at least 10 media personnel and above this it also requires involvement of some of the Assembly staff.

Considering the COVID-19 situation and preventive measures in place, the live TV coverage was not arranged to reduce crowding and number of people in the Assembly complex," Y Khemchand said.

The live TV coverage of the Assembly Session was started during his tenure.

However, due to COVID-19, there have been strict safety protocols in place in the Assembly.

As many as 163 samples of Assembly staff and MLAs were tested before the Session and all of them tested negative, he added.

Responding to queries about resignation of some MLAs, he said that three BJP MLAs had submitted their resignation letters by their alleged representatives.

The MLAs were contacted to confirm, however their cell phones were found switched off, he claimed but refused to make further comments as there are cases pending before the Court.

The number of vacant seats in the State Assembly is 13 now, he said.

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