Assam speaker Pranab Gogoi disqualifies 9 Congress legislators

GUWAHATI: Assam Assembly Speaker Pranab Gogoi on Monday disqualified nine Congress legislators under the provision of anti-defection law.

The full bench of the Election Commission of India including Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nasim Zaidi on Monday assessed the poll preparedness in the state ahead of next year's elections to the Assam legislative assembly.

Most of the political parties want two-phase election in Assam ahead of the April 14 ( Rongali Bihu festival). Nine Congress legislators who were close to former minister and newly joined BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma joined BJP.



Congress has moved Speaker seeking disqualification of Bolin Chetia, Pradan Barua, Pallab Lochan Das, Rajen Borthakur, Pijush Hazarika, Kripanath Mallah, Abu Taher Bepari, Binanda Saikia and Jayanta Mallah Barua.

The Speaker after hearing both the parties disqualified them. Congress MLAs argued that they are yet to join BJP legislative party.

Pradan Barua reacted stating that Speaker's ruling is on expected lines.