Speaker stalls move to disqualify legislators

IMPHAL, July 22: Manipur Assembly Speaker Sapamdhananjoy Singh today reserved his decision on the disqualification of nine ruling members after hearing their versions. Singh said he had heard all the nine MLAs today and added that his decision would be announced on a later date. The nine MLAs were K Tomba, S Chandra, L Jatra, Onjamang Haokip, Md Alaudin, Thangminlen Kipgen, C Doungel, V Hangkhanpao and M Zatawn. Assembly secretariat sources said the nine MLAs who were elected on different party tickets joined ruling United Front and later merged with the major ruling partner, Manipur state Congress party. Earlier, the Speaker had approved their merger with the MSCP but some opposition members recently sought their disqualification from membership of the House under anti-defection law. Subsequently, the Speaker served show cause notices against them on June 30 last, sources added.