HC reserves orders on rebel KC(M) MLA George's plea

The Kerala High Court today reserved its order on a petition by Kerala Congress (M) rebel MLA P C George challenging the state Assembly Speaker's order holding as valid a complaint seeking his disqualification under anti-defection law and deciding to proceed further on it.
Justice A M Muhammed Mushtaq reserved the order on the writ plea filed by George, a former government chief whip, whose disqualification has been sought by Kerala Congress (M). The judgement would be pronounced on September 25.
George contended that Speaker N Sakthan did not render justice and violated his fundamental rights.
According to the petitioner, the Speaker simply ruled that the complaint filed by Chief Whip Thomas Unniyadan could be proceeded with.

He alleged that the original complaint and a copy of it received by him were different.
The Speaker, being the Custodian of democracy, should have acted fairly, he submitted.

In his reply, counsel for Unniyadan argued that as per Constitution's 10th Schedule Para 6, the Speaker is the final authority to take a decision and verification of copies is not mandatory.
Appearing for the Speaker, the state Advocate General also supported the same argument.
Cracking down on George, Kerala Congress(M), the third largest partner in ruling UDF with nine MLAs, had sought his disqualification as a legislator for his alleged anti-party activities.

George had been openly criticising the UDF leaders, including Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and leaders of KC-M, following which he was removed as party Vice-Chairman and Government Chief Whip in April last.