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Meghalaya oppn wants Speaker out
GUWAHATI: Meghalaya appears to be heading towards a political shake-up as the combined Opposition in the state assembly has moved a no-confidence motion against
GUWAHATI: Meghalaya appears to be heading towards a political shake-up as the combined Opposition in the state assembly has moved a no-confidence motion against speaker at Mondal. The motion will be taken up during the House’s autumn session that begins from September 9.
The situation is reminiscent of last year’s political upheaval in Arunachal Pradesh where speaker Nabam Rebia’s ‘impeachment’ had culminated in the fall of Nabam Tuki’s Congress government.
The speaker’s ‘ removal’ had led to the imposition of President’s Rule in the state, which paved the way for Kalikho Pul-led rebel Congress government to come to power. The Supreme Court had reinstated the Congress government in July.
In Meghalaya, where chief minister Mukul Sangma is facing dissidence, Congress rebels are likely to support the Opposition comprising three regional parties — United Democratic Party, Hill State People’s Democratic Party and National People’s Party.
The state’s ruling Congress has 30 MLAs in the House and has the support of 11 independents. The Opposition has 19 MLAs but is confident of getting the votes of at least 10 Congress dissidents.
But Sang ma saw no threat .“It is not a question of dissidence but of grievance s being blown out of proportion because of certain rum ours that I was quitting and switching parties,” he told HT.
State Congress president and former chief minister DD Lapang, allegedly spearheading the dissidence against Sangma, said, “As party president, my responsibility is to keep the House in order. We will accept whatever decision the high command takes.”
This is the third time since 2015 that the Opposition in Meghalaya has moved a no-confidence motion against Mondal that has coincided with a section of Congress MLAs demanding a change in their leadership. The last two motions were defeated.
An Opposition leader said they were confident of removing Mondal but Khasi tribal council chief and Congress legislator PN Syiem said they have no role in orchestrating the speaker’s removal.
