Plea to disqualify rebel MPs withdrawn

In a bid to keep the party together in testing times, the JD(U) withdrew its petition seeking termination of membership of its three rebel Lok Sabha members under the anti-defection law.

JD(U) deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Ranjan Prasad Yadav wrote to Speaker Meira Kumar withdrawing the petition, JD(U) sources said.

The application to disqualify three of its Lok Sabha MPs — Rajiv Ranjan Singh ‘Lalan’, Sushil Singh and Mangni Lal Mandal — has been pending with the Privileges Committee of the Lok Sabha. A copy of the letter has been sent to Privilege Committee chairman P C Chacko, it is learnt.

In his letter, Yadav has said that he would not like to press the petition further and it may be treated as withdrawn.