SC to hear on Aug 6 MGP MLAs petitions against Assy Speaker

New Delhi, Aug 1 (UNI) The Supreme Court will hear on August 6 petitions filed by two Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) MLAs from Goa challenging the decision of the Assembly Speaker Pratapsinh Rane dated July 30 disqualifying the petitioners.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, Justice R V Raveendran and Justice Dalveer Bhandari fixed the date of hearing after the counsel for the petitioneer, Mukul Rohatagi, mentioned the petition for urgent hearing.

The petitioners -- Ram Kishen Dhavlikar and Pandurang Dhavlikar-- the two MGP MLAS have contended that the decision of the Assembly Speaker dated July 30, disqualifying them was a fraud on the Constitution of India and the impugned order of the Speaker must be quashed.

The petitioners also prayed to the apex court to order a fresh floor test to ascertain whether present Chief Minister Digambar Kamat really enjoyed the majority in the House.

NDA leaders has earlier called on President Pratibha Patil to logde their protest against the partisan role being laid by the Assembly Speaker as well as State Governor S C Jamir in denying BJP-led coalition a chance to form the government in the state.

The present Chief Minister won the vote of confidence on the floor of the House which was held on July 30.

UNI