Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Gaurishankar Agrawaltodayannounced that Amit Jogi, who has been expelled from Congress, would be henceforth allowed to function as a free (independent) legislator.
Giving his rulingon the constitutional position of Marwahi MLA, the Speaker said the Leader of Opposition T S Singhdeo had informed that Jogi had been expelled from the primary membership of the party,following which he ceased to be a part of Congress Legislative Party.
Singhdeo had urged the Speaker to keep Amit Jogi "unattached" from the Congress Legislative Party during the House proceedings and also provided a copy of Congress constitution, the Speaker said.
These documents established that Jogi was expelled by a "competent authority" of the party as per Congress constitution, Agrawal said.
However, quoting various past decisions of the Supreme Court, the Speaker said that "unattached" status cannot be granted. Termination of Amit Jogi's membership from Congress does not make him unattached member, and his position as member of the party from which he was elected cannot be changed.
Jogi can participate in the proceedings as a free member, the Speaker said.
Chhattisgarh Congress expelled AmitJogi for six years over an audio tape released by an English daily purportedly revealing fixing of Antagarhbypollheld in 2014.
