The Manipur Speaker’s Tribunal will hear on February 7 the anti-defection case involving five JD(U) MLAs who switched allegiance to the ruling BJP after the 2022 Assembly elections.

The case was brought before the tribunal by Congress Vice-President Hareshwar Goswami, who seeks the disqualification of the five JD(U) legislators—Kh Joykishan, N Sanate, Md Achab Uddin, L.M. Khaute, and Thangjam Arunkumar—for violating anti-defection laws. Goswami’s legal counsel, N. Bupenda Meitei, confirmed that Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh heard the case earlier and scheduled a follow-up hearing for February 7.

The JD(U) had contested 38 seats in the 2022 elections, securing six, but five of the MLAs later joined the BJP. Only Kh Joykishan has filed a counter affidavit, while the others have not responded.

In addition, Goswami has also filed disqualification petitions against four National People’s Party (NPP) MLAs for their continued support to the BJP-led government despite the NPP officially withdrawing its backing in November 2024. The four NPP MLAs are Mayanglambam Rameshwar Singh, Thongam Shanti Singh, Irengbam Nalini Devi, and Janghemlung Panmei.

Meitei expressed confidence that the Speaker would resolve the petitions swiftly, citing the Meghachandra case in the Supreme Court, which calls for decisions on disqualification petitions within three months of filing.

Despite the NPP’s withdrawal of support, the BJP-led government remains stable, backed by its own majority and additional support from NPF and independent MLAs in the 60-member Assembly.