Imphal: The Manipur Speaker’s Tribunal has served notices to four National People’s Party (NPP) MLAs, directing them to respond to allegations linked to an anti-defection case.
The notices, issued in response to a petition filed by Manipur Congress vice-president Hareshwar Goswami, seek explanations from the legislators after they attended a meeting of BJP lawmakers convened by Chief Minister N Biren Singh in November last year.
The gathering took place just days after the NPP withdrew its support from the state government.
The MLAs—M Rameshwar Singh, J Pamei, Irengbam Nalini Devi, and Thongam Shanti Singh—have been instructed to submit their written replies by February 11 at the Speaker’s office.
The Speaker’s Tribunal has scheduled a hearing on the matter for February 12 at 9:30 am. The legislators must appear in person or be represented by an authorised pleader, as per the notice.
With seven members in the 60-member Manipur Assembly, the NPP plays a crucial role in the state’s political landscape. The ongoing anti-defection case adds to the turbulence, as a similar case involving five JD(U) MLAs is also being heard by the Speaker’s Tribunal.
These legislators had joined the BJP soon after winning the 2022 state assembly elections, raising further concerns about political realignments in Manipur.
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