Special session of Sikkim Assembly convened

Gangtok, May 16 (UNI) A special session of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly would be held next month to amend the existing law to protect the 17 ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) MLAs from being disqualified for holding office of profit.

Mr B B Gooroong, advisor to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, said the session would be convened for two days beginning June five to amend the Sikkim Legislative Assembly Members (Removal of Disqualification) Act, 1978.

Mr Gooroong said the decision to convene a special session of the Assembly was called at a meeting held here today. Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, Law Minister R B Subba, the Speaker of the Assembly, the state Advocate General and all the 17 MLAs, accused by the Opposition for holding office of profit, were present.

Mr Gooroong said the amendement was needed as the existing Act does not cover all the offices of profit, held by the 17 MLAs.

The meeting was held after the Election Commission issued showcause notices to all the 17 MLAs, accused by the Opposition Congress, BJP and Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad, which demanded the disqualification of MLAs for holding office of profit.

The Election Commission in its notice issued recently asked the accused MLAs to reply by May 29.

The Congress, BJP and SHRP in separate petitions to the Governor had alleged that the MLAs were holding office of profit and urged him to exercise his power conferred on him Under Art 192 of the Constitution and disqualify them.

The Governor had forwarded their peitions to the Election Commission.

The Election Commission also stated that if no reply came within the due date, it would be assumed that the MLAs had nothing to say.

The notice also mentioned that if necessary a date for hearing might be fixed.

The copy of the notice, which was also sent to each of the complainant political parties, said the Opposition parties might have to file a rejoinder with a week of the receipt of the reply from the MLAs.

So far the authorities had all along been claiming that the 17 MLAs were protected under the Removal of Disqualification Act, 1978 and could not be disqualified.

UNI BD SJC RN1609