Under-fire MLAs appear before House Tribunal
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 21 2014: Four Trinamool Congress who have been facing disqualification procedure appeared before the Manipur Legislative Assembly Tribunal at the office chamber of the Speaker today and gave their own versions.

The Assembly Speaker/Tribunal Court fixed September 17 for next hearing of the disqualification case.

The four MLAs who are facing disqualification case are Kh Joykisan (Thangmeiband A/C), Th Bishworjit (Thongju A/C), K Sarat (Konthoujam A/C) and O Lukhoi (Wangoi A/C).

They split from All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and formed Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress (MPTC) .

They were served notice by the Assembly Secretariat under the 10th Schedule of the Indian Constitution asking them to appear before the Assembly Tribunal today.

Six cases pertaining to disqualification of some incumbent MLAs were registered by the Assembly Tribunal.

The cases are O Kabi vs Kh Joykisan, W Nganlentomba vs Kh Joykisan, Th Shyamkumar vs Kh Joykisan, Th Shyamkumar vs O Lukhoi, Th Shyamkumar vs K Sarat, Th Shyamkumar vs Th Bishworjit and Kim Gangte vs Dr I Ibohalbi.

Kim Gangte filed a complaint to the Assembly Speaker seeking disqualification of Dr Ibohalbi on the charge of supporting a candidate of another party in the 16th Lok Sabha election instead of supporting the party's candidate.

According to information received by press, temporary suspension of Ibohalbi from the party's membership has been revoked.

As notified by the Assembly Secretariat, Kh Joykisan, O Lukhoi, K Sarat and Th Bishworjit appeared before the Tribunal today.

Even though the Tribunal took statements of the four MLAs behind closed doors without allowing even media coverage, it is reported that AITC State unit president Th Shyamkumar who moved the disqualification process did not come to the Tribunal.

He was represented by an authorised Advocate.

Kim Gangte too was represented by her Advocate.

On the request of the MLAs and Advocates, the Speaker fixed September 17 for the next hearing.

Meanwhile, the Assembly Tribunal fixed September 2 for the next proceeding of the disqualification case between Adim Pamei and MLA RK Imo and four others.

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