Why is there a row about an MSP's immigration status?

Who should be allowed to stand for election to the Scottish Parliament? That is the question at the centre of a debate sparked by the ballot box success of a Green candidate. Q Manivannan, originally from India, is on a student visa which is due to expire at the end of the year. That did not prevent the political novice from being elected on the Edinburgh and Lothians East regional list. Opponents believe Manivannan should not have been selected in the first place - while the Greens have accused critics of "disgusting" attacks on their new parliamentarian. Manivannan moved to Scotland in 2021 to study for a PhD in international relations at the University of St Andrews. The politician uses they/them pronouns and along with Glasgow's Iris Duane will be Holyrood's first trans parliamentarians. Manivannan, who also identifies as non-binary, has worked as a community organiser, adviser and teacher with the United Nations, trade unions and human rights groups. The Green is currently on a student visa but they have applied for graduate visa, which would allow them to stay in the UK for up to three years. Manivannan has also applied for a global talent visa, which would allow them to stay