In the fickle world of Indian politics, Thounaojam Shyamkumar Singh didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. In 2017, just after winning the assembly elections from Andro constituency in Manipur, Shyamkumar had defected from the Congress to the BJP, and helped the saffron party form its first government in this northeastern state. A few days ago, the honeymoon ended when assembly speaker Y. Khemchand Singh disqualified Shyamkumar, the state’s forest and environment minister, as a member of the House with immediate effect till the expiry of the assembly’s current term on March 28, 2022. The speaker’s order came days after the Supreme Court invoked the Constitution’s Article 142 to disqualify Shyamkumar as an MLA.
Shyamkumar’s defection had set off high drama in 2017 when the BJP raced to form the government despite winning just 21 seats compared to Congress’s 28. The BJP also found support from four MLAs of the National People’s Party and the sole Lok Janshakti Party legislator, besides independents. In the 60-member house, the BJP proved its majority with 32 MLAs.
But the Congress didn’t take the betrayal lightly with as many as 15 party MLAs filing petitions seeking Shyamkumar’s disqualification, arguing that he had violated the 10th Schedule of the Constitution. The 10th Schedule lays down the process by which legislators may be disqualified for defection by the Speaker on a petition by any other member of the House. As the petitioners were not happy with the inordinate delay in the disposal of the case, they moved the Manipur high court and the Supreme Court.
Though the BJP government in Manipur is unlikely to face any numbers issue, the latest development could have a political fallout, since several MLAs of the BJP and its allies have been demanding reshuffle of the council of ministers.
Shyamkumar, meanwhile, says he is ready to face the voters again.
