In a significant development, Jharkhand Assembly Speaker Alamgir Alam on Thursday cancelled the membership of seven MLAs under the anti-defection law.  

After hearing over nine cases in connection with the anti-defection law, the Jharkhand Assembly Speaker decided to cancel the membership of seven MLAs-Kamlesh Singh, Bhanu Pratap Shahi, Anos Ekka, Kunti Devi, Thomas Hansda, Manohar Prasad Tekriwal, and Ravindra Rai. 

Alam, however, maintained the membership of Bandhu Tirkey and Sudesh Mahto.  

Besides, he also ordered that notice be issued against Rashtriya Janata Dal legislator Udayshankar Singh under the anti-defection law who recently joined the Congress party.

 Three others-Stephen Marandi, Vishnu Bhaiyya and Pradep Yadav-facing anti-defection charges have already resigned from the State Assembly.

 In 2005, a petition demanding action under anti-defection law was filed against several MLAs.

Jharkhand is presently under President rule. The union cabinet in this year in July decided to extend the President's rule in Jharkhand for six more months beyond July 18. (ANI)