Two leaders representing the Meitei and Thadou communities have jointly petitioned President Droupadi Murmu seeking the disqualification of Saikot BJP MLA Paolienlal Haokip, raising questions about his eligibility as a legislator.

The petition alleges that Haokip’s Scheduled Tribe (ST) status is “dubious” and that he was first enrolled as a voter only at the age of 46.

Haokip, a BJP legislator from Churachandpur district and one of the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs demanding a separate administrative arrangement, dismissed the charges as “funny and ridiculous.” He has also been a vocal critic of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who resigned earlier this year before the Centre imposed President’s Rule in Manipur.

The affidavit was submitted by Michael Lamjathang Haokip of the Thadou Inpi Manipur

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