DIMAPUR, MARCH 30 (MExN): Nine MLAs of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) have written to the Governor of Nagaland asking for the disqualification of Leader of Opposition I Imkong from the Nagaland Legislature by referring to Article 192 read with Article 191 of the Constitution of India. The MLAs- Naiba Konyak, Heno, Hewoto, Tarie Zeliang, Hukavi, MC Konyak, Deo Nukhu, Nyemli and Khutovi - today said, “The Office of the Leader of Opposition is an office of profit.”
According to the complaint, the Jangpetkong representative has been persistent in his demand that his pay and perks should be hiked to that of a Cabinet Minister in the State. “He has written to the Secretary of the Assembly in this regard. A copy is enclosed,” the Governor was told. Imkong is said to have “consistently raised this matter in the Business Advisory Committee also though the matter did not come under the jurisdiction of the Committee.” He is also said to have written to the Speaker for granting him some of the hiked pecuniary benefits from retrospective date.
The Leader of Opposition’s office is one of profit as it is not in the exempted category as enumerated in the Nagaland State Legislature Members (Removal of Disqualification) Act, 1964, the MLAs said.
“The Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959 specifically exempts the office of the Leader of Opposition in Parliament from being deemed as an office of profit,” it said.
“While he pursued a legislation for profit, he did not pursue with same vigour a legislative amendment for exempting the office from being deemed as office of profit fearing that any such pursuit for the latter purpose may expose him to the public.”
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