Newmai News Network
Imphal | June 18
With seven ‘defected’ MLAs of the Congress barred from entering the Manipur Legislative Assembly by an order of the High Court of Manipur, the strength of the Congress is now 20 while that of the BJP, after the resignations of its three MLAs, has been reduced to 18.
Hence, the effective strength of the Manipur Assembly is now depleted to 49 as one of the Congress MLAs who defected to BJP at the time of formation of the present BJP-led government had already been disqualified.
The present ministry is now supported by only 23 MLAs - 18 BJP, 4 NPF and one LJSP, while the newly formed SPF has 26 MLAs- 20 Congress, 4 NPP, one AITC and an Independent.
Meanwhile, the hearing of the disqualification case of the seven 'defected' MLAs was done on Thursday at the Speaker's Tribunal of the Manipur Legislative Assembly. However, the High Court of Manipur has directed the Speaker's Tribunal not to pronounce the ruling until June 19. With this, the ruling of the hearing of the disqualification case of the seven MLAs will be kept in abeyance till June 19.
It can be noted here that the poll to the Rajya Sabha seat in Manipur will be held on June 19.
