SHILLONG, SEPT 3: The opposition Congress on Friday decided to move a resolution seeking the removal of the Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh during the upcoming autumn session of the Assembly, which will commence from September 10.
The resolution signed by four Congress MLAs – Zenith Sangma, HM Shangpliang, George B Lyngdoh and Kimfa S Marbaniang – was submitted to the Commissioner & Secretary of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on September 2.
“The House hereby expresses its want of confidence on the Speaker, Metbah Lyngdoh and hereby resolves to remove him from the office of the Speaker of this August House as per provisions under Article 179 of the Constitution of India and Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly,” it said.
This was informed by Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma after chairing a CLP meeting here.
Terming it as a conscious decision, Sangma said that the move of the party is as per Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business and inconsistent with the relevant provisions of the Constitution of India.
“…the details will be discussed in the august house as we submit our stand as to why we justify our call for adopting a resolution asking the Speaker to vacate the office of the Speaker,” he said.
Asked if the opposition will also seek the support of the MDA coalition partners, the leader of opposition said, “As you all know the whole dynamics of politics and since this conscious decision of the CLP to move this resolution under the provisions of the relevant provisions of the constitution of India and relevant rules of procedure and conduct of business in the legislative assembly, we will be looking at issues which will draw the attention of every member of the august house vis-à-vis our responsibility towards the people and towards the state. Based on how they respond to their respective call of duties, that is how we look at it as when issues are discussed and issues which revolve around the interest of the people.”
“We made a clarion call to look at how whoever feels that whatever we are saying is required to be responded to and they find it somehow justifiable to articulate their concern before the people of the state, we will look at how as discussion unfolds in the house and how they respond,” he added.
Sangma also refused to divulge the reason behind the move and said that the issue will be taken up for discussion inside the House.
To another query on the reason for the opposition not moving a No confidence motion against the present state government, Sangma however said, “That is a different thing that we can decide even at the eleventh hour but in as far as resolution required to be tabled before the august house in respect of resolution for removal of the Speaker from the office of the Speaker it required minimum 14 days notice. Therefore, this is precisely the reason why decisions well ahead of the session have to be taken.”
“In respect to any no confidence motion against the government it doesn’t require that long notice so I think we should keep our cards close to our chest,” he stated.
On the other hand, the Congress leader said that there are many issues that are unfolding the challenges associated with various areas of concern will be appropriately taken up in the august House in order to ensure that the attention of the government for course correction is achieved for best interest of the people and the state.
“Ours is confined to a responsibility where we will all have to collectively stand to protect the interest of our people and protect the interest of our state. Therefore, we utilize this time to look at how we can appropriately articulate issues and take up issues on the floor of the house,” he added.
Sangma further informed that the opposition members have already submitted a number of issues for the consideration of the august house which will be taken up for discussion as per rules of procedure and conduct of business of the august house.
By Our Reporter
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