Cong MLAs take Parl Secy case to Delhi

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 28: Following a directive given by the Supreme Court on the appointment of 12 MLAs as Parliamentary Secretaries to the Election Commission of India (ECI), many Congress MLAs have  gone to Delhi to pursue the matter with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
Notably, the Parliamentary Secretaries were sworn in on March 15, 2017, the day Chief Minister N Biren and his Council of Ministers were sworn in.
After hearing a petition filed by Congress MLAs Surjakumar Okram and DD Thaisii, the High Court of Manipur passed a judgement on September 18, 2020 which categorically stated that the Manipur Parliamentary Secretary (Appoint- ment, Salary and Allowances & Miscellaneous Provision) Act 2012 and the Manipur Parliamentary Secretary (Appointment, Salary and Allowances and Miscellaneous Provision)  Repealing Act 2018 are unconstitutional.
The High Court also made it clear that the Manipur Parliamentary Secretary (Appointment, Salary and Allowances and Miscellaneous Provision)  Repealing Act 2018 was invalid.
The 12 MLAs who were appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries are L Susindro (Khurai AC), N Indrajit (Kshetrigao AC), L Rameshwor (Keirao AC), Th Satyabrata (Yaiskul AC), H Dingo (Sekmai AC), Dr S Ranjan (Konthoujam AC), S Subashchandra (Naoriya Pakhanglakpa AC), K Robindro (Mayang Imphal AC), Leishiyo Keishing (Phungyar AC), Khasim Vashum (Chingai AC), Awangbow Newmai (Tamei AC) and Asab Uddin (Jiribam AC).
Out of them, S Subashchandra has been facing a disqualification case while Th Satyabrata and Awangbow Newmai have been inducted into the Council of Ministers.
Following strong assertion from different quarters that the post of Parliamentary Secretary is undoubtedly an office of profit, all the 12 MLAs resigned from the same post.
Notwithstanding their resignation, Surjakumar Okram and DD Thaisii filed another petition at the Supreme Court challenging the appointment of 12 MLAs as Parliamentary Secretaries.
After perusing the petition, the Supreme Court recently asked the ECI to submit a reply regarding the case within four weeks.
Taking serious note of these developments, many Congress MLAs went to Delhi. While a few of them reached the  capital yesterday, others joined them today.
Sources informed that the team led by Congress Legislature Party leader and ex-Chief Minister Okram Ibobi may hold a meeting with the CEC tomorrow.
According to one Congress MLA, they would confirm from the CEC whether the matter about disqualification of the 12 MLAs has been referred to the State Governor as per a directive of the apex Court.
If the matter has been already referred to the Governor, necessary steps would be initiated to get the 12 MLAs disqualified, the Congress legislator added.