ITANAGAR, SEPTEMBER 23: Both the MLAs had submitted their resignations to the then Speaker Nabam Rebia on September 16 last year and it was accepted on September 30.
Rebia had subsequently issued a notification on October 1, saying the two seats had fallen vacant and that the Election Commission of India (ECI) would be informed accordingly.
The two MLAs had moved the High Court, which on October 9, stayed the notification that declared Kanubari and Khonsa East Assembly seats, from where the 2 MLAs were elected, as vacant.
The court had also directed the ECI not to go ahead with plans for holding by-polls in the constituencies.
Before filing their appeal in the High Court, Wangsu and Sawin, had in separate letters to Rebia, withdrawn their resignations stating that they were forced into it by the then Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and that the letters be treated as “invalid, null and void until and unless submitted in person”.
The Speaker then filed a petition in Gauhati High Court which was accepted by the court and resignations of both the MLAs were accepted.
A Special Leave Petition was filed by the MLAs before the Supreme Court challenging the High Court ruling which was also dismissed on February 9.
The Election Commission had called for a bypoll in May which was challenged as they filled a Review Petition before the Supreme Court which led to the deferment of the bypoll.
Wangsu, when contacted termed it as the “victory of democracy” and added that justice ultimately done and truth has achieved triumph. “It has given me more reasons to have full faith in the Indian judiciary,” Wangsu added.
