Itanagar: The high-voltage political drama revolving around the resignation of two Congress MLAs in Arunachal Pradesh came to an end on Friday with Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok restoring their membership in the sixth Legislative Assembly.
The Supreme Court, while disposing off a review petition filed by Congress MLAs Wanglam Sawin and Gabriel D Wangsu pertaining to their membership in the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly, in its order had on August 24 had stated that parties to the litigation have agreed to the effect that the matter can be remanded to the Speaker so that it can be decided afresh after hearing the concerned parties.
“We are sure that the Speaker shall decide the matter expeditiously, preferably within one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this order,” the apex court had said in its order and directed both Sawin and Wangsu to appear before the Speaker on September 19 so that the date of further hearing could be decided.
The Speaker in his order said, ‘After the inquiry conducted by me by hearing the two MLAs on September 19 last and after careful application of mind to the material and law before me, I come to the conclusion that the resignation letters are not voluntary and are not genuine.”
“I therefore reject the purported resignation letters of September 16, 2015. Sawin and Wangsu will continue as members of the Assembly from the date of their election as though nothing interrupted their membership in the House and they are entitled to their salary, allowances, pension and other amenities from the date they were denied these pecuniary and other benefits,” Thongdok said.
With the restoration of Sawin and Wangsu as members of the Assembly, the number of Congress candidates rose to three in a House of 60, while PPA has 43 MLAs, BJP (11) and two Independent members.
The Hayuliang seat fell vacant after Kalikho Pul committed suicide on August 9 last.
Both the MLAs had submitted their resignations to the then Speaker Nabam Rebia on September 16 last year and it was accepted on September 30.
Rebia had subsequently issued a notification on October 1, saying the two seats had fallen vacant and that the Election Commission of India (ECI) would be informed accordingly. The two MLAs had moved the High Court, which on October 9, stayed the notification that declared Kanubari and Khonsa East Assembly seats, from where the 2 MLAs were elected, as vacant.
The court had also directed the ECI not to go ahead with plans for holding by-polls in the constituencies.
Before filing their appeal in the High Court, Wangsu and Sawin, had in separate letters to Rebia, withdrawn their resignations stating that they were forced into it by the then Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and that the letters be treated as “invalid, null and void until and unless submitted in person”.
The Speaker then filed a petition in Gauhati High Court which was accepted by the court and resignations of both the MLAs were accepted. (PTI)
A Special Leave Petition was filed by the MLAs before the Supreme Court challenging the High Court ruling which was also dismissed on February 9. The Election Commission had called for a bypoll in May which was challenged as they filled a Review Petition before the Supreme Court which led to the deferment of the bypoll. Wangsu, when contacted termed it as the “victory of democracy” and added that justice ultimately done and truth has achieved triumph. “It has given me more reasons to have full faith in the Indian judiciary,” Wangsu added. PTI UPL MM KIS 09231701
