Meghalaya Chief Minister DD Lapang on Tuesday ruled out his resignation in the face of a joint Opposition attack, following a resolution adopted in the assembly on Monday against the government's move to shift the legislative house to city outskirts.
As soon as the House assembled on the last day of the Winter Session, BJP leader AL Hek demanded the Chief Minister's resignation following Tuesday's development.
He was promptly supported by NCP's EK Sangma, who said the government lost "moral authority" to reply to the members questions and, therefore, should resign.
Responding to their demands, Lapang said the resolution, brought by Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) leader HS Lyngdoh against shifting the assembly to city outskirts, was not a money bill.
"If a money bill was defeated, the government took the moral responsibility and did step down. Since it was not, the question of a government defeat did not arise nor the resignation," the Chief Minister said.
He said the resolution was against a decision of the high-powered committee (HPC), headed by the Speaker.
Unsatisfied, Hek said the government was "shifting its responsibility" as the decision to move the assembly was taken by the Cabinet.
{{/usCountry}}Unsatisfied, Hek said the government was "shifting its responsibility" as the decision to move the assembly was taken by the Cabinet.
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