Manipur Speaker’s Tribunal Issues Notices to NPP MLAs Over Anti-Defection Allegations

IMPHAL: Notices have been sent to four Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker's tribunals by the end of the NPP legislators concerned, asking for a response about allegations of defecting.

In this connection, the notices issued were based on a petition put forward by Hareshwar Goswami-Manipur Congress Vice-president who sought their disqualification after they went to attend a BJP legislators' meet called by CM N. Biren Singh, in November of 2023.

Interestingly, just a few days before the meeting, the NPP withdrew its support from the BJP-led government, leaving legislators' political allegiance in question.

The four MLAs, M Rameshwar, J Pamei, Irengbam Nalini Devi, and Thongam Shanti, must submit their written replies by February 11, 2025. The Speaker's Tribunal has set a hearing for February 12 at 9:30 AM, and the legislators have to appear in person or be represented by counsel authorized to act for them.

This judgment might have far-reaching political implications for the NPP, which at present has seven MLAs in the 60-member Manipur Legislative Assembly. If the Speaker decides to disqualify under the 10th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, the party's strength in the Assembly could be reduced, which might alter the political equation in Manipur.

In another big case, the Speaker's Tribunal reserved its verdict over the disqualification of five MLAs from the Janata Dal (United), who are facing charges of changing sides to BJP after winning the 2022 Assembly polls.

Petitioners are Congress leader Hareshwar Goswami along with M Dorendro and M Surjit. This is one more case that entered the courts' domain for what seems like long years and in the end heard on February 3, 2025, and a decision is yet to be issued.

Khumukcham Joykisan (Thangmeiband AC), Ngursanglur Senate (Tipaimukh AC), Md Ashab Uddin (Jiribam AC), Thangjam Arunkumar (Wangkhei AC), and LM Khaute (Churachandpur AC) are the five legislators in question.

They were accused of violating anti-defection laws as they had defected to the BJP. The counsel for the petitioners, M. Bhupenda, argued strongly for their disqualification and emphasized that the provisions of the 10th Schedule were intended to prevent political instability due to defections.

If the Speaker decided against the JD(U) MLAs, then by-elections to fill the resultant vacant seats may fundamentally alter the political arithmetic of Manipur. Everybody is observing the ruling with interest. The ruling may have an impact on future rulings on cases of defection in the State.

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