The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has filed a petition seeking the disqualification of four of its MLAs who recently joined the ruling National People’s Party (NPP).

The petition, submitted to Assembly Commissioner and Secretary Andrew Simons on behalf of Speaker Thomas A Sangma, was filed by MPCC secretary Manuel Badwar.

Congress contends that the legislators’ switch amounts to defection and does not meet the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority needed for exemption under the anti-defection law.

The plea has been filed under Rule 6 of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 1988, read with para 2(1)(a) of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India.