Lok Sabha Speaker Rejected the Resignations of 13 Seemandhra MPs

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on 18 October 2013 rejected the resignation of 13 Seemandhra Lok Sabha MPs (Member of Parliament).

While rejecting the resignations of 13 Seemandhra MPs, Lok Sabha Speaker clarified that resignation letters were not genuine or voluntary.

Lok Sabha official explained that the Speaker used the provisions of Article 101 (3) of the Constitution and Rule 240 Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha which deals with the procedure to be adopted by the Speaker when a member wants to quit the Lok Sabha.

Lok Sabha official also explained that there is no time frame fixed in the Constitution or the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha for the Speaker to take her decision on such resignation issue. It is the exclusive jurisdiction of the Speaker and no one could intervene.

The 13 Seemandhra MPs resigned from Lok Sabha in protest against the Centre’s decision to bifurcate the State of Andhra Pradesh into Seemandhra and Telangana.

About the Article 101(3) (b) of the Indian Constitution  

According to the Article 101(3)(b) of the Indian Constitution  when such letter of resignation is received, the Speaker has to make appropriate enquiry as he/she deems fit to get satisfied that the member has taken such a decision on his/her own volition.