Mizoram MLA served show-cause notice on dual roles

Aizawl, Mar 23  Mizoram Assembly Speaker Lalbiakzama has served a show-cause notice to opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) legislator Rasik Mohan Chakma asking him why he should continue as member of both Legislature and of Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC).
Lalbiakzama served the show-cause notice on Friday after receiving a complaint from Doymoy Daveng Chakma, member of district council (MDC) of Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC).
The Speaker instructed Chakma to submit his replies before April 15 with legal justification of his continuation as both CEM and MLA.
Lalbiakzama informed Chakma his action violates the law and can be disqualified under relevant sections of the Mizoram State Legislature Members (Removal of Disqualification) (Amendment) Act, 2006.
The Mizoram State Legislature Members (Removal of Disqualification) (Amendment) Act omitted section 2(4) of the principal act, which allows executive and legislative positions in autonomous district councils to become MLA without being liable to be disqualified.
Interestingly, the then MNF MLA Chakma was at the centre of deliberations while the said amendment bill was discussed in the assembly house, as he was at that time holding the dual posts of chief executive member (CEM) of CADC and MLA.
After passing the amendment bill, Chakma, elected to the state Legislature in 2003, resigned as member of the Legislature, in order to keep his post, the top job in the CADC, in 2006.
After winning the election to 20-member CADC early last year, Chakma was elected as MNF Legislature Party leader and became the CEM. He contested the election to 40-member Mizoram Assembly from Tuichawng seat on MNF ticket last November and won.
He continues to hold the post of CEM and MLA till date and refused to resign as CEM or MLA despite several protests from the members of the CADC.