Gauhati HC summons NLA Speaker and 7 suspended NPF MLAs

NPF Secretary general, Achumbemo Kikon (Center) speaking during the press conference in Kohima on March 13. (Morung Photo)

Morung Express News 
Kohima | March 13

The Gauhati High Court has directed the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker and 7 suspended NPF MLAs to appear before the court on or before April 3. It has also given directions "granting liberty to the Speaker to adjudicate the petition pending before him."

This is with regard to a disqualification petition filed by the opposition on April 24, 2019 before the former Assembly Speaker against seven of its suspended legislators. 

The petition was filed in observation of the fact that the 7 MLAs openly defied the party’s decision and went against the provisions under the 10th Schedule of the Anti-Defection Law as amended in 2003. The MLAs had extended support to the NDPP candidate for the Lok Sabha elections 2019. The NPF, which did not field its candidate, had supported the Congress's candidate. 

Announcing this at a press conference today, the opposition Naga People's Front (NPF) said that a single bench of the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench passed the order on March 11, 2020 adding that the disqualification matter has been listed for March 20, 11:00 am before the Assembly Secretary. 

Advocate for the petitioners, S Borgohain along with NPF Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon here at the NPF headquarter Kohima alleged that the disqualification petition was delayed by the speaker on numerous pretexts or various grounds, from the day the petition was filed. As per the law, disqualification petitions are to be decided in a time-bound period of 4 weeks. 

"A prima facie of the matter showed that the speaker had acted at the behest of the ruling government," the advocate said while lamenting that this is a common trend in the country. 

The opposition also accused the Speaker of "non-application of mind" wherein, the Speaker on February 18 asked the petitioners to file the issue instead of asking the 7 respondents to file their issue, stating that this prompted the party to move the court. 

"Since the Speaker holds a very high constitutional post, once elected, he has to come beyond party politics," the advocate meanwhile stated. 

The seven NPF legislators include Kejong Chang, EE Pangteang, Eshak Konyak, CL John, BS Nganlang, N Thongwang Konyak and Toyang Chang

The NPF hoped that the Speaker will dispose off the matter "within a time-bound period" and "good sense will prevail among the people of Nagaland."