Defector MLAs likely to face by-election
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 03 2018:
Altogether eight MLAs including Minister Th Shyamkumar who were elected on Congress tickets but later defected to BJP may be asked to resign and face by-election.
Meanwhile, some political analysts have pointed out that defection by MLAs to a political party after they were elected on the tickets of another party is an open violation of the 10th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
The office of the Speaker ought to disqualify all the defectors.
But the Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker has been condoning the seven MLAs and the Minister which is nothing but obstruction of justice and violation of the principles of democracy, they opined.
The MLAs who defected to BJP after they were elected on Congress tickets are Th Shyamkumar (Andro AC), Sanasam Bira (Kumbi AC), Oinam Lukhoi (Wangoi AC), Yengkhom Surchandra (Kakching AC), Ngamthang Haokip (Saitu AC), Ginsuanhau (Singhat AC), Kshetrimayum Biren (Lamlai AC) and Paonam Brojen (Wangjing-Tentha AC).
It is up to the wisdom of the Chief Minister whether there should be any Ministry or portfolio reshuffle.
As for the eight MLAs who defected to BJP from Congress, they have no other option but to face by-election after disqualification by the Speaker or voluntary resignation.
There is a broad consensus within the Government on resignation of the eight MLAs and let them face by-election.
In case, there should be any by-election, it may be held together with the Lok Sabha election next year, and there is an understanding within the Government not to go for any reshuffle till the by-election or the Lok Sabha election.
On the other hand, the party's organisation has started expressing strong resentment against the Government's failure to fulfil many of the promises made through the party's Vision Document which was released ahead of the 11 th Manipur Legislative Assembly election.
Pointing out that it has been quite long time since the Congress party lodged a petition to the Speaker's office seeking disqualification of the eight MLAs who defected to BJP, the political analysts opined that deferring the issue for such a long time is ethically wrong.
Congress party has not been approaching any law Court as they cannot do so before the office of the Speaker comes out with a decision on the issue.
If the Speaker's office still keeps the matter pending for some time longer, there is no guarantee that the defectors would not go back to Congress.
It is another matter whether Congress party would accept them or not.
Given the recent changes seen in the political landscape of the country, BJP's position may not be as comfortable as is now after the 2019 Lok Sabha election, said the political analysts.
Even if the eight MLAs resign and face by-election, no one can guarantee that all of them would be re-elected.
Incidentally, O Lukhoi won the Wangoi seat in the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly election over his nearest rival Khuraijam Loken of NPP by a margin of just 36 votes.
Ksh Biren retained Lamlai seat after defeating Khongbantabam Ibomcha by 852 votes.
Y Surchandra defeated his nearest rival M Rameshwar by 630 votes to win Kakching seat.
Out of the eight MLAs, some of them won the election with very small margins.
As such, nobody can guarantee that they would be certainly re-elected in case they face by-election on the tickets of another party.
On the other hand, it is also possible that Congress party may embrace all the-nearest rivals of these MLAs and give them Congress tickets.
Even if all the eight MLAs are not re-elected, the incumbent Government would not be jolted, provided BJP maintains its ties with the coalition partners, added the political analysts.
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