New Delhi: Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Assam Congress on Friday submitted petitions to Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary, seeking the disqualification of two of its legislators, Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha and Basanta Das, for supporting the BJP-led government in the state.
Led by ACLP leader Debabrata Saikia, a delegation presented the petitions to Speaker Daimary, invoking Article 191 (2) of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India. Saikia emphasised that the petitions seek the disqualification of Purkayastha and Das for allegedly giving up their membership of the INC.
Speaking to ABP, Saikia highlighted that despite being elected to the party, Purkayastha and Das failed to adhere to the party's core principles, prompting this action.
“As the Congress Legislature Party Leader, I have filed two Disqualification Petitions before the Hon’ble Speaker, Assam Legislative Assembly, under Article 191 (2) read with the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India, seeking disqualification of Shri Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, MLA No. 3 North Karimganj LAC, and Shri Basanta Das, No. 67 Mangaldoi (SC) LAC, from membership of Assam Legislative Assembly, for voluntarily giving up membership of the Indian National Congress,” a statement issued by Saikia read.
Earlier this month, Purkayastha resigned from the position of Working President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) and, along with fellow Congress MLA Das, declared their support for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Assam government.
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Subsequently, APCC President Bhupen Kumar Borah issued a showcause notice to the duo, demanding clarification on their decision to support the Assam government on developmental matters. They were also asked to publicly reaffirm their loyalty to state Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma within a day, failing which the party would consider disciplinary action against them.