Cong accuses Guv of delaying tactics in office of profit issue

Aizawl Apr 30 (UNI) Mizoram Congress chief and opposition leader Lalthanhawla has accused Governor A R Kohli of inaction in the office of profit accusation that the Congress party had submitted to him for onward transmission to the Election Commission (EC) of India.

Talking to newspersons here yesterday, Mr Hawla said the governor applied delaying tactics and went on a long state tour after the Congress submitted their letter to him.

''We again submitted another letter with proofs that ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) MLAs are holding offices of profit on April 19 and sent copies of these to the President and the Election Commission of India. We believe that the Governor has received a reply from the President''.

The Congress leader said the governor had already forwarded their letter to the EC which, in return, had requested Mr Kohli to issue show cause notices to the named MNF legislators, giving them 15 days to reply.

''The convening of a special Assembly session clearly shows that these MNF legisalators had indeed held offices of profits'', Mr Hawla said.

He said the governor had been pressurised to promulgate an ordinance which would clear the MLAs of the office of profit charges. The governor, however, declined to do so since other states had not promulgated any ordinances, Mr Hawla said, adding that the May 10 deadline had necessitated the hurriedly convened May 4 special Assembly session.

UNI SNR KK AKP1117