Kohima, 18 February (MTNews): Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker Sharingain Longkumer has dismissed a disqualification petition filed against seven MLAs of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Nagaland, following the Election Commission of India’s recognition of Ajit Pawar as the leader of the party.
In an order dated 16 February, the NLA Speaker stated that the NCP MLAs were not subject to disqualification as supporting the legitimate leader of the party, as recognized by the Election Commission, does not constitute anti-party activities or voluntary relinquishment of party membership.
The seven NCP MLAs – Namri Nchang, Picto Shohe, P Longon, Y Mhonbemo Humtsoe, S Toiho Yeptho, Y Mankhao Konyak, and A Pongshi Phom – had pledged allegiance to Ajit’s faction of the party in July last year, aligning themselves with his leadership.
Following this allegiance shift, a disqualification petition was lodged against them by the faction led by Sharad Pawar, raising questions about their continued membership in the party.
However, the NLA Speaker’s ruling, based on the Election Commission’s recognition of Ajit Pawar as the legitimate leader of the NCP, has quashed the disqualification petition, providing legal validation to the NCP MLAs’ decision to support Ajit’s faction.
