The disqualification proceedings were initiated on the basis of a compliant filed by Kerala Congress (M) leader Thomas Unniyadan on July 21 seeking Mr. George’s disqualification. The hearing was completed on November 9.
The Speaker’s verdict listed four major grounds which attracted disqualification. On April 17, Mr. George, who had won on the Kerala Congress ticket, had written to the Chief Election Commission of India seeking de-registration of the Kerala Congress (M).
This was followed by a quo warranto petition in the High Court on the same grounds, making his party and its chairman as respondents. Following this, Mr. George wrote to the Speaker on June 6 seeking permission to vote against the UDF on ground that he had revived his Kerala Congress (Secular) party and as such did not belong to the Kerala Congress (M) or another party in the UDF.
Mr. George had associated himself with an organisation called ACDF and took the initiative to field a candidate, K. Das, as its candidate. He had accompanied the candidate for filing of nominations. He had also worked for the victory of this candidate, with election posters carrying his photographs being printed.
“From these actions, it is evident that Mr. George had given up his membership of the Kerala Congress (M) on his own volition,” the Speaker said.
In the meantime, CPI(M) legislator A.K. Balan wrote to the Speaker pointing out that his decision not to accept the resignation of Mr. George was a violation of the Assembly rules.
According to the rules of procedures, Rule 169(2), the Speaker is bound to accept the resignation letter of a legislator if he submits it directly to the Speaker.
Mr. George had announced his resignation much earlier and since he had personally appeared before the Speaker to submit it. Hence the Speaker did not have the powers to reject the resignation letter, he said.