The Hindu : National : Disqualification plea referred to Jharkhand Speaker

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Sunday, May 22, 2005

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National

Disqualification plea referred to Jharkhand Speaker

D.P. Sharan

RANCHI: The Jharkhand High Court on Friday referred to the Legislative Assembly Speaker the Jharkhand Party's petition seeking disqualification of its MLA for defying the party whip. It asked him to decide the matter as per the provisions laid down in the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.

Chief Justice Altumus Kabir and Justice R.K. Marathia "requested" the Speaker to decide the case at the earliest to dispel any doubts in the minds of people that the MLA was enjoying undue favours from the House.

The petition was filed by Jharkhand Party president N.E. Horo against Enos Ekka, who voted in favour of the NDA during the vote of confidence on March 15 . Subsequently, Mr. Ekka was made Minister in the present Arjun Munda Government.

Speaker Indersingh Namdhari told presspersons on Friday that the court had upheld the Constitutional provisions and the onus was now on him. He had sought expert opinion on the case. However, if his decision did not suit either of the two parties, they were free to go on appeal.

Takes oath

Kamlesh Kumar Singh, Nationalist Congress Party MLA, was administered the oath of office on Friday by the Speaker at the latter's chamber. Like Mr. Ekka, Mr. Singh had defied the party whip and abstained from voting. He was later made a Minister, though he did not take the oath. Mr. Singh was also a Minister in the erstwhile Shibu Soren Government.

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