Imphal, June 08: NCP MLA C Doungel and BJP MLA W Thoiba have filed separate applications to the Manipur Assembly speaker Dr S Dhangnjoy to disqualify MSCP MLA M Hemanta from his membership under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India today.

Assembly sources said.

In their application, MLAs Doungel and Thoiba reportedly stated that Mr M Hemanta was elected in the general election in 2000 on MSCP ticket and while constituting the Seventh Assembly, he was sworn in as MSCP member.

He had himself given this declaration at the time of oath taking, the sources said.

A dispute arose in the MSCP between Mr Chaoba, working president and Mr Nipamacha founder president and since the MSCPO members have been switching their loyalties between these groups.

There are also some members who are not involved in the dispute, according to the sources.

The dispute as to who actually represents the real MSCP is subjudice as it is pending in Gauhati High Court and other subordinate courts.

However, when Kshetrigao by-election was held, both the contending parties desired to set up candidates and sought clarification of the Election Commission who for the purpose of this by election only, gave interim direction file their papers as MSCP (C) and MSCP (N) and froze the party symbol.

Mr Hemanta thereafter had been claiming that he is the leader of MSCP (C).

He had not, however, intimated the speaker, Manipur Assembly about it.

In fact, even when the House met on May 21 to vote on the confidence motion of the Samata chief minister, all seating arrangements were made as MSCP.

The Speaker had never been informed of the existence of these two factions and the number of MLAs belonging to the respective factions.

Claiming to belong to MSCP (C) thus amount to the concerned member having voluntarily given up his original party, i.e.MSCP which attracts the provisions of para 3 of Tenth Schedule processed in the Assembly Secretariat, the sources said.

On the other hand, a press release issued by the spokesman of MSCP (C ) , Mr Kh Devabrata today said that MLA C Doungel�s attempt to save the Speaker Dr S Dhananjoy may be taken as his last hope to save himself and announced that MSCP (C ) is preparing to file a disqualification case against MLA Doungel too.

The release recounted that Mr Doungel left the party alone when the total strength of the then MSCP legislature party was 31 MLAs.

The Speaker, Dr Dananjoy instead of disqualifying Mr Dougnel gave a verdict to return him to NCP, it added.

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