New MLAs & original certificates

The lobbies of the state assembly presented a picture which was akin to a job mela where candidates moved around with their certificates. The MLAs young and old too were seen moving around with their original certificates issued by the returning officer declaring them as having won the assembly election.
The assembly secretariat had informed all the MLAs to come with their original certificates based on which they would be allowed to take oath. This according to old-timers is a new rule that had come into effect from 2004.
According to a four-time MLA, never in the past MLAs were asked to bring their certificates. But over a decade ago a non-member took oath as member of Lok Sabha. Following this goof-up, the Lok Sabha amended the rules and made it mandatory for all the elected members to come with the original certificate.
He also recalled an incident that was similar to what had happened in Lok Sabha. The only difference here was that the non-member entered the House but did not take oath. According to him a first-time TDP MLA in 1983 had come to the House with his lawyer friend who had helped him in elections in tow on two consecutive days. The assembly staff also did not object since over 180 members were first timers and they did not know who was who.

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