Ranchi: In a landmark decision, the Speaker’s tribunal in Jharkhand has stripped two prominent leaders, JP Patel and Lobin Hembram, of their MLA status following their involvement in defection cases.
The tribunal found both leaders guilty of violating anti-defection laws. JP Patel, a former BJP leader, had joined the Congress party before the Lok Sabha elections and contested the elections on a Congress ticket without resigning from his assembly seat. BJP leader Amar Kumar Bauri had filed a complaint alleging Patel’s non-compliance with the anti-defection law.
Advocate Vinod Kumar Sahu argued that Patel’s failure to resign from his assembly position after switching parties warranted the cancellation of his membership.
In a separate case, Lobin Hembram faced accusations from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) of anti-party activities. Hembram, who had rebelled against JMM, contested the Lok Sabha elections from Rajmahal against the official JMM candidate. JMM leader Shibu Soren lodged a complaint with the Speaker, claiming Hembram’s actions had harmed the party’s reputation.
As a result of these findings, both JP Patel and Lobin Hembram will cease to hold their MLA positions effective July 26.
