Imphal, March 27: Taking a leaf out of the political drama enacted at Delhi over the office of profit issue, the State unit of the BJP has petitioned President Abdul Kalam to disqualify seven MLAs of the SPF for holding office of profit under Article 191 (1) of the Indian Constitution.

Quoting Article 191 (1) of the Constitution, the State BJP in the submission to the President said that seven MLAs of the ruling SPF Government head different Corporations as Chairpersons which is a clear violation of the provisions laid down in Article 191 (1) of the Constitution.

State BJP unit president H Borbabu in his representation to the President said "the seven chairmen should be declared to be disqualified 'for being' members of the Legislative Assembly of Manipur forthwith." The seven MLAs who are heading different corporations as chairpersons and whose disqualifications have been sought are, N Loken Singh (LDA), K Ranjit Singh (PDA), Y Mani Singh (Programme Implementation Committee), A Aza (Khadi and Village Industry Board), DK Korungthang (MTDC), N Biren (Pollution Control Board) and Bijoy Koijam (MANITRON).

Article 191 (1) of the Constitution states, "A person shall be disqualified for being chosen as and for being a member of Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council of a State if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of the State specified in the First Schedule, other than office declared by the Legislative of the State by law-not to disqualify its holder." When The Sangai Express contacted K Ranjit, one among the 7 named MLAs, he said "As no MLA is above the law of the land, I will not hesitate to quit if needed." However until the SPF gets a clear cut definition of what constitute an office of profit and until a specific instruction from the Election Commission comes then I will not resign hastily, explained the MLA.

"Even though I have been appointed as the Chairman of PDA, fuel for my vehicle and other allowances are issued by the State Assembly," asserted Ranjit and claimed that he has not received even a single rupee as the Chairman of PDA.

The MLA further said that the SPF has started studying what constitute an office of profit and added that consultations with experts are on.

Ranjit said that if the ECi says that he is holding an office of profit then he would resign immediately and added that the example set by AICC chief Sonia Gandhi is worth emulating.

On being informed that the State unit BJP has already petitioned the President of India to seek the disqualification of 7 MLAs, Ranjit said that if any political party tries to politicise the issue then it would be a disgrace to democracy.

It would also be wrong to cast the said 7 MLAs as hankering after only power.

Turning the table on the Opposition, the MLA reminded that RK Dorendra of the BJP, O Joy, Thangminlien, RK Theko are members of the Kangla Fort Board.

Not only this, but M Nilachandra, S Ibohal, L Radhakishore and E Biramani are also members of Loktak Development Authority.

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