Axe looms large over seven other MLAs

IMPHAL, April 7: Buoyed by the recent ruling of the Supreme Court, which upheld the Speaker's disqualification ruling against MSCP MLA and Agriculture minister Thangmilien Kipgen, Assembly Speaker S Dhananjoy Singh said today that decision on the disqualification proceedings against the seven other MLAs would be decided soon. Mention may be made here that the apex court ruled in favour of the Speaker after a series of litigations. The axe fell on Thangmilien Kipgen on November 17 last year following the disqualification hearing conducted by the Speaker on July 22 last year. The MLA was disqualified under 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution on grounds of defecting from his parent party, NCP, soon after the 7th Assembly elections. The MSCP and Thangmilien had moved the Gauhati High Court against the ruling of the Speaker and a single bench of the High Court had subsequently stayed the disqualification order of the Speaker. The Supreme Court in its ruling on April 3 had clearly stated, 'Clause 7 of the 10th Schedule bars the jurisdiction of the Court in interfering with the order passed by the Speaker'. The disqualification petition was moved by K Amutombi Singh. Disqualification proceedings were taken up not only against Thangmilien Kipgen but also to eight other members of the House on grounds of defection from their parent parties. The other legislators are K Tomba Singh, L Jatra Singh, S Chandra Singh, Md Allauddin, Onjamang Haokip, Zatawn, Hankhanpao and Chungkhokai Doungel. However the disqualification proceedings had been withdrawn in the case of Doungel as he had returned to his parent party, NCP. Speaking to The Sangai Express, an obviously pleased Dhananjoy said, since the Supreme Court had vindicated his stand he would soon come to a decision regarding the fate of the seven other MLAs.