Decision on anti-defection cases in Dec:Jharkhand Speaker

Hazaribagh, Oct 7 (UNI) Jharkhand Assembly Speaker Alamgir Alam today said the decision on anti-defection cases involving 10 MLAs would be taken in the first week of December this year.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Alam said October 18 had been fixed as next date for the hearing which would continue till the first week of December.

''The matter could be delayed if the MLAs failed to submit their pleas during fixed time- frame,'' Mr Alam said.

Altogether 10 MLAs including Deputy Chief Minister Stephen Marandi, Rural Development Minister Anosh Ekka, Health Minister Bhanu Pratap Shahi, Excise Minister Kamlesh Singh and former minister Chandra Prakash Choudhary were facing anti-defection charges.

Besides, other included five MLAs of BJP who were suspended by the party.

A Public Interest Litigation(PIL) had also been filed in Jharkhand High Court in this regard.

UNI XC-AM SB PK HT2337