Speaker to take unilateral decision if 3 MLAs fail to respond

Ranchi, Sep 12: Jharkhand Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari today said he was free to take a unilateral decision if the three MLAs, facing a disqualification notice, did not respond to his notice in time even as the left parties urged him to allow the lawmakers participate in the September 14 floor test.

Chief Minister Arjun Munda, whose government was reduced to a minority after four MLAs withdrew support to it, faces the crucial confidence motion on Thursday.

Mr Namdhari told UNI he held discussions with a battery of advocates on the ramifications of the intricate issue that turned more interesting when the Supreme Court yesterday refused to grant an interim stay to the three MLAs--Mr Anosh Ekka, Mr Kamlesh Singh (both rebel ministers) and Mr Stephen Marandi (Ind).

''I have talked to Advocate General Anil Sinha and carefully studied the case,'' he said adding a specific time had been set for the three MLAs and it was upto them whether they came personally or sent their advocates for the hearing.

''The Supreme Court also said the legislators should have replied to the notices,'' he said, adding the opposition must have got their reply.

Initially, he had set yesterday as the last date for hearing but the three MLAs sought more time to appear before him.

''No illegible MLA should take part in the trial of strength,'' he said adding his prime duty was to see to it that such a situation did not recur.

The notices were served to the legislators on September six.

Mr Singh, the only NCP legislator, along with Mr Harinarain Rai, Mr Madhu Koda and Mr Anos Ekka(All independent MLAs) were ministers in BJP-led NDA government and resigned from the Munda cabinet on September five reducing the government to a minority.

Meanwhile, the left parties demanded that the three MLAs be allowed to participate in voting during Thursday's motion in the Assembly.

In a joint press conference today leaders of the CPI, CPI(M) and Forward Bloc urged the Speaker to allow Kamlesh Singh, Anos Ekka and Stephen Marandi to participate in the floor test.

CPI(M) state General Secretary Gyan Shankar Mazumdar said issuing showcause notice to the three MLAs, when Chief Minister Arjun Munda was asked to prove his majority in the House, was 'unconstitutional'.

''Mr Namdhari issued the notices according to his constitutional rights but the step was not taken at an appropriate time,'' Mr Mazumdar said.

EDS:Here pick up suitably from earlier series.

UNI