New Delhi. The Speaker of the Nagaland Assembly has rejected the disqualification petition against seven Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs, including Ajit Pawar. The petition was filed under the anti-defection law by the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) led by Chief Minister Sherengen Longkumar. The decision to dismiss the disqualification petition was based on the Election Commission’s order to recognize Ajit Pawar as the leader of the NCP in Nagaland, as per the direction of the Election Commission. This decision was cited by the Speaker as the basis for dismissing the petition, stating that the MLAs in question could not be disqualified under the anti-defection law.
According to the order issued on February 16, 2024, the Speaker said, “…the decision of the Election Commission is now before us. The MLAs against whom the complaint was filed had supported Ajit Pawar. According to the Commission’s decision, the anti-defection law does not apply to them. Therefore, there is no justification for keeping the complaints pending.”
The Speaker further clarified that the seven MLAs will not be disqualified as responsible persons, citing Section 2(1)(a) of the Tenth Schedule. The disqualification petition was rejected in view of the facts and circumstances, especially considering that the complaints against these MLAs were based on their support to Ajit Pawar.
Controversy arose when NCP MLAs E. Picto Shoho, P. Longo, Namri Nchang, W. Mhonsabei Konyak, S. Tohe Yeptho, Y. Manhao Konyak and A. Pongshim Home submitted letter of support for Ajit Pawar’s leadership in the state. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP has been prompted to file the disqualification petition on August 30, 2023.
However, Nagaland NCP unit president Wanthungo Oduo had urged the Assembly Speaker not to take any decision on the disqualification petition until the Election Commission takes a final decision on the matter. OrChika’s dismissal is a significant victory for Ajit Pawar and strengthens his position within the NCP in Nagaland.