As the political scenario changed following JD(U)’s decision to come out of the Opposition NDA alliance, its three MPs, who faced charges of anti-party activities, have escaped possible disqualification. Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar has dropped disciplinary proceedings against the MPs under the anti-defection law after JD(U) withdrew its complaint against them.
Accepting JD(U)’s request for withdrawing its complaint against the MPs — Rajiv Ranjan Singh “Lalan”, Sushil Singh and Mangni Lal Mandal, Ms Kumar dropped the proceedings under the anti-defection law pending against them for months before the privileges committee of the Lok Sabha headed by P.C. Chacko.
Rajiv Ranjan Singh “Lalan” belongs to influential Bhumihar caste and was the state president of JD(U) before he fell out with chief minister Nitish Kumar. Bhumihars are considered a strong support base of BJP. Sushil Kumar Singh belongs to another influential upper caste community Rajput. JD(U)’s arch rival RJD has three of its four MPs belonging to this caste. Mr Mandal is an influential OBC leader in north Bihar.
JD(U) had earlier sought their disqualification — under the Schedule 10 of the Constitution. However, the party on June 22 requested the Speaker to drop the proceedings against the three MPs.
In a letter on July 4 to JD(U) deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Ranjan Prasad Yadav, joint secretary, Lok Sabha Secretariat, V.R. Ramesh informed him that the Speaker “acceded to your request to withdraw the petition filed by you under 10th Schedule of the Constitution (Anti-defection Law) against Rajiv Ranjan Singh “Lalan”, Sushil Singh and Mangni Lal Mandal”. In his letter on June 22, Mr Yadav had said that he would not like to press the petition “further” and it may be “treated as withdrawn”.
JD(U) had suspended Mr “Lalan”, Sushil Singh and Mangni Lal Mandal in 2012 for anti-party activities. The party has 20 MPs in Lok Sabha.