Disqualification case of five MLAs : Speaker reserves judgement
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 07 2025: The Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker's Tribunal has reserved its judgement on the disqualification cases filed against the five MLAs who joined BJP after they were elected on JD(U) tickets.

The disqualification cases were filed by MPCC vice president Hareshwar Goswami, JD(U) general secretary M Dorendro Singh and one M Surjit.

Contending that MLAs Ngursanglur Sanate (Tipai-mukh AC), Md Achab Uddin (Jiribam AC), Thang-jam Arunkumar (Wangkhei AC), LM Khaute (Chura-chandpur AC) and Kh Joykisan (Thangmeiband AC) have violated the Constitution's 10th Schedule, the petitioners have been seeking disqualification of all five of them.

The final hearing of the disqualification cases started at 11.30 am at the Speaker's Tribunal today, and the hearing went on till 3.15 pm.

After several rounds of arguments between the petitioners' advocates and the respondents' counsels, Speaker Thokchom Satya-brata reserved his judgement.

Hareshwar Goswami filed five petitions against the five MLAs elected on JD (U) tickets but later joined BJP and he was represented by Advocate N Bhupenda Meitei.

JD (U) general secretary M Dorendro and M Surjit filed two similar disqualification cases against Kh Joykisan.

The two petitioners were represented by advocates Ajay Pebam, L Rojeshore, Th Loyangamba, Kh Suraj, L Bimoljit, I Rajesh and Apollo.

They argued that MLA Kh Joykisan should be disqualified for violating the Constitution's 10th Schedule.

After several rounds of hearing, the final hearing of all the disqualification cases filed against the MLAs elected on JD(U) tickets but defected to BJP was held today.

Advocate N Bhupenda said that the final hearing went on for a long time.

Apart from arguing verbally in a very convincing manner, a 35-page document was also submitted to the Speaker's Tribunal, he said.

N Bhupenda said that the Speaker is expected to announce his judgement shortly.

The fates of the five MLAs are now in the hands of the Speaker.

"We firmly believe that the Speaker would do justice to the disqualification cases", Advocate Bhupenda said.

He added that the disqualification cases against the five MLAs were filed in 2022 .

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