The Supreme Court today refused to stay the disqualification of six Congress rebels by the Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker for cross-voting in the recent Rajya Sabha polls. The rebel MLAs are barred from voting or Assembly proceedings pending the plea. By-elections for the vacant seats are under scrutiny, with a court listing set for May 6.
The Supreme Court will hear on March 18, a plea from 6 Congress rebels, disqualified from the Himachal Pradesh assembly for not following party directives during Rajya Sabha polls. They allege lack of opportunity to respond to the disqualification petition. The Speaker cited anti-defection law after their abstention from a crucial budget vote.