BY THE ASSISTANT EDITOR
20 May 2023, Rajagriha: In an unprecedented series of twists and turns, Devin Purcell MP, Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, announced his sudden resignation on 14 May 2023 before withdrawing the same very shortly. Purcell was appointed by the Lok Sabha as its Deputy Speaker to aid Tyler Mullins, the Speaker, whose duties he frequently shared on several key enactments, including the Governorship Act, 2023 among others.
Purcell’s sudden resignation was preceded a mere hour by a motion put forward by Arthur Lacey-Scott, presently Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Parliament Affairs and the current Leader of the National People’s Congress, who called for the impeachment of Purcell following allegations of conduct unbecoming and sedition against the Vishwamitran government.
Purcell announced his resignation publicly in the Lok Sabha, citing personal attacks upon his person. He went on to thank members of the Lok Sabha and hoped others would be fortunate enough to work with him in other sectors in future. He ended his resignation announcement, instead of the customary formal letter to the Speaker, by stating he the libel allegations against him came swiftly from the present Government.
Lacey-Scott then instructed the Speaker as per the Standing Orders of the Lok Sabha to take into consideration the resignation announcement as a de jure resignation, stating a mere notification to the Speaker is required instead of a formalized letter as is usual.
Shockingly, on 17 May 2023, Purcell withdrew his resignation, after Lacey-Scott was able to confirm that any notification of resignation not taken into consideration by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha from a three-day period (beginning with the issuance of the notice), can be withdrawn at any point in time. Speaker Tyler Mullins then confirmed the withdrawal notice shortly thereafter.
It is expected that Purcell will attempt to rejuvenate the now somewhat dormant Vishwamitra National Party (VNP) or perhaps form a new party of his own. Time will tell for future twists.