The Congress said that Th Shyamkumar — who is a minister in the state cabinet with the portfolios of PDS, consumer affairs, weights and measures, revenue, relief and rehabilitation — deflected after he was voted to power as a Congress MLA
Congress MLAs from Manipur on Friday produced a letter that the BJP had written to state Governor Najma Heptulla in May 2017 staking claim to form government after Assembly elections, and pointed out the inclusion of MLA Thounaojam Shyamkumar who was listed as a Congress MLA.
The Congress said that Th Shyamkumar — who is a minister in the state cabinet with the portfolios of PDS, consumer affairs, weights and measures, revenue, relief and rehabilitation — deflected after he was voted to power as a Congress MLA. "He got the votes under the Congress symbol and continues to hold power in the state. This is in gross violation of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution and the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Kihoto Hollohan vs Zachillhu case," said former deputy chief minister Gaikhangam Gangmei.
He alleged that he had written to the Speaker of the Manipur Assembly and had even submitted a memorandum to the President of India. "He has not even resigned and is still continuing as a minister. The Speaker did not take any cognisance of the complaint by the Congress Legislative Party to disqualify him on the basis of 'Anti Defection Law'. And, we are still waiting to hear from the President," the former minister said. "This is a blatant act of illegality and sheer political opportunism."
When asked why the Congress party raked the issue over a year after the BJP formed the government, Assam MP Sushmita Dev said that the 'office of profit' case of AAP MLAs prompted them to speak up.
U-turn MLA
- MLA Thounaojam Shyamkumar had contested the poll under Congress symbol and won the seat.
- After being voted to power, Th Shyamkumar deflected and joined the BJP and continues to hold power in the state.
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 "Thounaojam Shyamkumar")
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