Jharkhand Assembly Disqualifies Two MLAs Under Anti-Defection Law

Tags: State News

On July 25, Jharkhand Assembly Speaker’s Tribunal disqualified two MLAs under the anti-defection law, effective from July 26.

An Overview of the News

• The disqualified legislators are Lobin Hembrom from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Jai Prakash Bhai Patel from the Congress.

• This decision was made just before the Jharkhand Assembly's six-day monsoon session, which starts on July 26.

• JMM and BJP initiated the anti-defection proceedings against Hembrom and Patel, respectively.

• Hembrom ran independently for the Rajmahal Lok Sabha seat, challenging the JMM's official candidate, Vijay Hansdak.

• Patel joined Congress before the Lok Sabha elections and contested from the Hazaribag seat.

• Both Hembrom and Patel were defeated in the elections.

• The judgment was delivered by Assembly SpeakerRabindra Nath Mahto on July 25.

Anti-Defection Law (ADL)

• ADL was introduced in 1985 as the 52nd Amendment to the Constitution, aiming to prevent legislators from frequently switching parties or voting against party directives.

• Elected members can be disqualified for voting against their party or making antagonistic decisions.

• Strengthening:

  • In 2003, the 91st Amendment added provisions to disqualify defectors and bar them from ministerial positions for a period.