Punjab assembly speaker rejects resignation, tells MLA to use right format

MANSA: Punjab assembly speaker Rana K P Singh has rejected the resignation of Mansa MLA Nazar Singh Manshahia, who switched over to Congress from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), on the grounds that it was submitted in wrong format. No disqualification proceedings under the anti-defection law have been initiated against the MLA, citing that there was no complaint against him.
Manshahia is attending House and drawing salary as an MLA even after joining the Congress, though he was elected on AAP ticket from Mansa assembly constituency in March 2017. He had appeared before the speaker on February 4 and insisted that his his old letter be considered as resignation, declining to submit resignation in the proper format. On Wednesday, the speaker told him that his letter could not be considered as resignation.
In all, five AAP MLAs — Harvinder Singh Phoolka from Dakha constituency, Master Baldev Singh from Jaito, Amarjit Singh Sandoa from Ropar, Sukhpal Singh Khaira from Bholath and Manshahia from Mansa — had either resigned or swtiched parties attracting provisions of anti-defection law. Sandoa had resigned as an MLA and switched over to the Congress, but had later withdrawn his resignation.
Jaito’s Baldev had handed over his resignation to the Punjab AAP chief to be forwarded to the speaker. However, he later rejoined AAP and his resignation was not sent to the speaker. Phoolka had given the resignation in the proper format, which was accepted after long delay and byelection held. Proceedings under anti-defection law against Khaira are underway. Manshahia told TOI, “I had appeared before the speaker on February 4 and I asked him to consider my resignation submitted earlier. The speaker wanted me to give submit the resignation in adifferent format, which I declined. I am in the Congress now, and taking any decision is the prerogative of the speaker.”
When contacted, speaker Rana said, “MLA Manshahia was asked to submit his resignation in a proper format as described in the law. The resignation given by him in wrong format has been rejected and the MLA intimated about it on Wednesday. Now, it is up to the MLA to submit resignation in the proper format and no one could be forced to do it.” When asked about starting disqualification proceedings against Manshahia, the speaker said as there was no complaint against him, no proceedings had been initiated.
On April 25, 2019, Manshahia had joined the Congress after resigning from the Punjab Ekta Party (PEP). He had sided with Khaira, when the latter had floated PEP, after being unceremoniously removed as the leader of opposition by AAP in 2018. Baldev, who has returned to the AAP fold, said, “I had not given resignation to the speaker but to the party, which was not accepted. I am back with my parent party.” Sandoa told TOI, “I had withdrawn my resignation. I had not officially joined the Congress but had given support to chief minister Amarinder Singh. Officially, I am still an AAP legislator.”
Khaira said, “AAP had filed a complaint against me under the anti-defection law and the process is underway. I am also contesting that complaint. Whenever the speaker will call me, I will give my reply.”