Congress MLA’s resignation in limbo

While sources close to him say he may not pursue his resignation with the Speaker, it remains to be seen whether the Speaker would accept it on the basis of his resignation letter.

A fortnight after the Congress MLA from Khadoor Sahib, Ramanjit Singh Sikki, announced his resignation from the Assembly to protest the desecration incidents, his fate as a legislator remains uncertain.

While sources close to him say he may not pursue his resignation with the Speaker, it remains to be seen whether the Speaker would accept it on the basis of his resignation letter.

A Capt Amarinder supporter, Sikki had resigned on October 18. He represents a predominantly “panthic” segment of the state and his resignation may have scored him brownie points when the tempers flared.

While Sikki was not available for comments, despite repeated calls and messages, a party MLA close to him said: “If the Speaker accepts his resignation on the basis of his letter, then he would become a martyr. Otherwise he will continue.”

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal said he was out of town: “I have not seen his resignation yet and so I won’t be able to comment. Once I am back, then I would be able to say something”.

With the government facing the heat due to the unrest in the state, it may not be able to afford a byelection in the current circumstances.

Congress sources meanwhile said the party MLAs had decided to resign enmasse to protest the repeated desecration but Amritsar MP Amarinder Singh had asked them to wait. Sikki, however, had jumped the gun by then and announced his resignation. He had, however, not appeared in person in front of the Speaker, a condition put by the latter when Capt Amarinder had to resign from the Assembly.

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