2 independent MLAs to float regional party

Ranchi, Dec 15 (PTI) Independent MLA Bandhu Tirkey today said he would float a new regional political party in the New Year along with a fellow legislator. "In principle Independent MLA Chamra Linda and I have decided to float a regional political party to raise burning tribal issues and protecting tribal rights," Tirkey said here. Tirkey and Linda, who have been actively involved in Jharkhand Janadhikar Manch and Adivasi Chhatra Sangh during the domicile agitation in 2003, contested the 2009 assembly elections as independent candidates. Asked what would be the status of the existing groups they are involved in, Tirkey said "may be, both would be merged." Linda was not available for comments. Constitutional expert Summit Gadodia, however, said "any independent MLA cannot form a political party under tenth schedule of the constitution as (that) amounts to joining a political party." Gadodia was of one the counsels of former Deputy Chief Minister Stephen Marandi in the court of the then assembly Speaker when Marandi had faced disqualification charges five years ago.