Guwahati: In a major political development, five out of seven MLAs of Janata Dal (United) have joined the ruling BJP.
The statement issued by Manipur Assembly Secretary K Meghajit Singh said that the Speaker was pleased to accept the merger of five JD(U) MLAs with the BJP under the tenth schedule of the Constitution.
According to the provisions laid down under Anti-Defection Law when two-thirds of the legislators of a political party decide to merge into another party, neither the members who decide to join nor the ones who stay with the original party will face disqualification.
The JD(U) MLAs who joined the BJP are Kh Joykishan, N Sanate, Md Achab Uddin, former DGP L M Khaute and Thangjam Arunkumar.
The move came after Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) was reportedly said to be withdrawn support from ruling BJP in Manipur very soon. Currently, the BJP-led coalition is backed by 55 MLAs in the 60-seat assembly including seven JD(U) members.