Imphal, Feb 4 (PTI) — The Manipur Speaker's Tribunal is set to hear the anti-defection case involving five JD(U) MLAs who had switched allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) shortly after the 2022 state assembly elections. The hearing will take place on February 7, according to N Bhupendra Meitei, the counsel representing the petitioner.
The petition, seeking the disqualification of these five MLAs, was filed by Hareshwar Goswami, the vice-president of the Manipur Congress.
Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh conducted a hearing on the matter earlier this week and decided to reconvene on Friday, Meitei confirmed. The JD(U) had contested 38 constituencies in the March 2022 assembly elections and secured victory in six seats. Among the winning JD(U) candidates, Kh Joykishan, N Sanate, Md Achab Uddin, L M Khaute, and Thangjam Arunkumar joined the BJP shortly after the elections.
"Only Kh Joykishan has filed a counter affidavit, while the other four have not responded yet. The Speaker has decided to expedite the process and take it up again on February 7," Meitei said.
In addition to this case, the Congress in Manipur recently filed disqualification petitions against four National People’s Party (NPP) MLAs who had continued to support the BJP-led government despite the NPP officially severing ties with the ruling alliance two months ago.
Meitei noted that during a previous hearing on Monday, he had mentioned the disqualification cases related to the NPP MLAs. However, he emphasized that the final decision will rest with Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh after the formal proceedings.
The upcoming hearing on February 7 will be closely watched as it could have significant implications for the composition of the state's legislative assembly.
The petition, seeking the disqualification of these five MLAs, was filed by Hareshwar Goswami, the vice-president of the Manipur Congress.
Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh conducted a hearing on the matter earlier this week and decided to reconvene on Friday, Meitei confirmed. The JD(U) had contested 38 constituencies in the March 2022 assembly elections and secured victory in six seats. Among the winning JD(U) candidates, Kh Joykishan, N Sanate, Md Achab Uddin, L M Khaute, and Thangjam Arunkumar joined the BJP shortly after the elections.
"Only Kh Joykishan has filed a counter affidavit, while the other four have not responded yet. The Speaker has decided to expedite the process and take it up again on February 7," Meitei said.
In addition to this case, the Congress in Manipur recently filed disqualification petitions against four National People’s Party (NPP) MLAs who had continued to support the BJP-led government despite the NPP officially severing ties with the ruling alliance two months ago.
Meitei noted that during a previous hearing on Monday, he had mentioned the disqualification cases related to the NPP MLAs. However, he emphasized that the final decision will rest with Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh after the formal proceedings.
The upcoming hearing on February 7 will be closely watched as it could have significant implications for the composition of the state's legislative assembly.