Ahead of floor test BJP may look for ways to bring back ex-MLAs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 12 2020: The BJP led N Biren Singh Government is likely to look for ways to bring back TT Haokip, Samuel Jendai and S Subhaschandra who had resigned from the party and as MLAs recently to prove its majority in the monsoon session of the State Assembly.

Elucidating, the source said that questions are being raised now whether the Speaker had ordered any enquiry before accepting their resignations.

If the Speaker had not ordered any enquiry before accepting the resignations, there is a loophole which may be exploited by the BJP to bring back the ex-MLAs, added the source.

Ahead of floor test BJP may look for ways to bring back ex-MLAs

According to a reliable source in the Government, the monsoon session of the Assembly may be held in the last week of July or early August.

The recent rift between the BJP and its ally NPP which led to temporary withdrawal of support by four NPP MLAs including the Deputy Chief Minister coupled with three BJP MLAs resigning had caused a power struggle between the ruling and the Opposition Congress.

Asserting that the turmoil had turned the Government into a minority, the Congress had demanded a floor test for N Biren to prove majority.

Even though the NPP MLAs, after high drama, have returned to the BJP led coalition Government, the source said the BJP led Government still needs to prove its majority for it had turned into a minority Government recently.

If the Government doesn't prove majority in the House during the coming monsoon session, the Opposition Congress may move a no confidence motion to effect a floor test, the source added.

If the Government is to show its strength on the floor of the Assembly, parties may issue whip to avoid cross voting, the source said, opining that the power struggle between the BJP and Congress is far from over.

With the four NPP MLAs reassuring their alliance with the BJP, N Biren Singh led Government now has 26 MLAs.

Of these 26, BJP has 18 MLAs, NPF and NPP have 4 each.

On the other hand, the Opposition Congress has 24 MLAs.

However, 8 Congress MLAs including Abdul Nasir, O Henry, RK Imo, Yamthong Haokip, Ngamthang Haokip, GS Haopu, O Lukhoi and P Brojen are believed to be close to the BJP led coalition Government after the recent power fight.

But, in the event of a floor test, the Congress may issue whip to avoid cross voting, the source said.

As lone Trinamool Congress MLA T Robindro, whose disqualification order was suspended till July 20 by the High Court, and Jiribam MLA Asab Uddin had sided with the Congress in the election for the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Manipur and in an attempt to form SPF Government recently, the BJP may find ways to bring back TT Haokip, Samuel Jendai and S Subhaschandra who had resigned from the party and as MLAs recently, predicted the source.

It may be noted here that ex-MLA S Subhaschandra has filed a case against Congress MLAs alleging he was forced to resign from the BJP and the Assembly.

The Court is hearing the case on July 19.As per Manipur Assembly rules of procedure and conduct of business, an MLA should submit his/her resignation letter in person.

If the resignation letter is not submitted by the MLA in person, the Speaker should start an enquiry before accepting the resignation.

Meanwhile, there are reports that the resignation letters of ex-MLAs, S Subhaschandra, Samuel Jendai and TT Haokip were submitted by others in their place, said the source adding questions are being raised now whether the Speaker had ordered any enquiry before accepting their resignations.

If the Speaker had not ordered any enquiry before accepting the resignations, there is a loophole which may be exploited by the BJP to bring back the ex-MLAs, added the source.

Even though the NPP MLAs have returned, the BJP, which had 21 MLAs in the 60 Member State Assembly, is in a tight position as it has lost three MLAs.

A floor test may prove to be fatal for the BJP and the Centre would not like to take any chances.

It is likely that the BJP would exploit any loophole to bring the three ex-MLAs back to life, asserted the source.