Rebel BJP MLAs' voting rights suspended

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Friday, August 29, 2008

A day before the trust vote, the Jharkhand Government-led by Shibu Soren received a major jolt as Assembly Speaker Alamgir Alam suspended the voting rights of the two suspended MLAs of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - Vishnu Prasad Bhaiya, MLA, Jamtara, and Manohar Kumar Tekriwal, MLA, Godda.

The duo had announced their decision to extend their support to Soren in forming the Government in Jharkhand. The other three MLAs - Kunti Singh, Pradeep Yadav and Rabindra Roy - have been allowed to take part in the proceeding during the trust vote. The decision was taken under the light of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution.

However, none of them filed their answer to the show cause notice sent by the Speaker on Wednesday asking them to submit their answer on their disqualification till 5 pm on Thursday. The sources confided that all of them sought 60 days to submit their points. Turning down their request, the Speaker finally gave them 10 days time to submit their answer.

The Speaker took this decision as two days back the delegation led by leader to the Opposition Arjun Munda submitted another petition to the Speaker alleging them of violating the 10th Schedule of the Constitution by joining hand with JVM and JMM.

Meanwhile the State BJP has termed the decision as too little and too late. The chief whip of the party, CP Singh said that the party could have welcomed the decision provided the Speaker could have been fair enough to realise the charges of anti party activities levelled against them.

He termed the extension given to them as malafide as well as bad in the eyes of law. He said that all five suspended MLAs should be disqualified without delay.

Meanwhile the NDA held a close-door meeting at the residence of Munda. The senior party leaders including State BJP resident PN Singh, State JD (U) president CP Singh, senior JDU leader Jaleswar Mahto attended the meet. The party is still mulling to approach the Supreme Court to seek the disqualification of these MLAs.

Munda said that the suspension of the voting rights of the two suspended MLAs was a half-baked decision. The party protests over piecemeal decision on their disqualification. We have kept our option open to approach Supreme Court if the justice was not delivered.