The filing of disqualification petitions against the four NPP MLAs highlights the ongoing political turmoil in Manipur and sets the stage for a legal and political showdown.
TFM Desk
In a significant political development, Hareshwar Goshwami, Vice President of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), has filed disqualification petitions against four National People’s Party (NPP) MLAs in the Manipur Legislative Assembly. The petitions, submitted to the Speaker’s Tribunal, allege that the four MLAs violated party discipline by extending support to the BJP-led state government, despite the NPP’s national leadership withdrawing its backing.
Grounds for Disqualification
The petitions cite the MLAs’ participation in a meeting convened by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh for ruling MLAs, which, according to Goshwami, contradicts the NPP’s official stance. The NPP, led by its national president Conrad Sangma, had earlier withdrawn support from the BJP government in Manipur. Goshwami’s lead counsel, N. Bupenda Meitei, an advocate at the High Court of Manipur, emphasized that the MLAs’ actions amount to defection under the anti-defection law.
The four NPP MLAs named in the petitions are:
1. Mayanglambam Rameshwar Singh (Kakching Assembly Constituency)
2. Thongam Shanti Singh (Moirang Assembly Constituency)
3. Irengbam Nalini Devi (Oinam Assembly Constituency)
4. Janghemlung Panmei (Tamenglong Assembly Constituency)
Legal Precedent and Expectations
Citing the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Meghachandra case, which mandates that disqualification petitions be decided within three months of filing, Goshwami’s legal team expressed confidence that the Speaker would expedite the disposal of the petitions. N. Bupenda Meitei stated, “The Speaker is expected to act in accordance with the law and ensure that the petitions are resolved promptly.”
Political Implications
The disqualification petitions have added a new layer of complexity to Manipur’s political landscape. The NPP, a key ally of the BJP in the Northeast, has been navigating a delicate balance between its state and national interests. The move by Goshwami, a retired bureaucrat and senior Congress leader, underscores the growing tensions within the ruling coalition and the opposition’s efforts to capitalize on internal discord.
Reactions and Next Steps
While the NPP has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, political observers believe the petitions could trigger a realignment of alliances in the state. The Speaker’s decision on the disqualification petitions will be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for the stability of the BJP-led government in Manipur.
A Test for Anti-Defection Law
The filing of disqualification petitions against the four NPP MLAs highlights the ongoing political turmoil in Manipur and sets the stage for a legal and political showdown. As the Speaker’s Tribunal deliberates on the matter, the case will serve as a litmus test for the enforcement of the anti-defection law and its role in maintaining party discipline in India’s democratic framework.