SHILLONG, SEPT 9: Meghalaya assembly speaker Abu Taher Mondal on Friday admitted a resolution seeking his removal and allotted discussion on the issue on September 16, the last day of the assembly session.
The resolution was moved by opposition National People’s Party (NPP) legislator James K Sangma accusing the Speaker of curtailing the vibrancy of the legislature and delay in construction of the assembly building.
Sangma moved the resolution under clause (c) Article 179 of the Constitution and Rule 135 of the Rules and Procedure of Business in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on the first day of the autumn session.
“Whereas, speaker AT Mondal has failed to carry out his duties and responsibilities as a speaker. Now, therefore, this house expresses its want of confidence in him and hereby resolves to remove him from the office of the Speaker,” Sangma stated in the resolution.
The Speaker allowed taking up of the motion after 12 opposition MLAs stood up in support of the resolution.
“The resolution is admitted and it will be taken up on September 16 after all businesses of the day,” Mondal said.
Further, the speaker also announced a letter received from chief minister Mukul Sangma informing about the resignation of Congress MLA WD Sangma from the post of parliamentary secretary, which was accordingly accepted.
Meanwhile, four MLAs were also nominated by the speaker to the panel of chairmen – they are Dikkanchi D Shira, WD Sangma, Titosstarwell Chyne and Witting Mawsor.
This is the second time that the opposition has sought for the Speaker’s removal. The first was a no-confidence motion moved on March 25, last year, which was defeated by a voice vote.
When sought for his comment after the session, Mondal said, “When I work I don’t know how I work… may be on the way certain things are there… We will see if I survive.”
He, however, refused to comment whether there is any ulterior motive behind the resolution but only stated, “The resolution seeking removal of the speaker has got nothing to do with the failure or success of the government.”
On the other hand, NPP legislator James K Sangma said that the reason for moving the resolution is because of the short duration of session despite repeated request.
“By doing this, the Speaker is curtailing the vibrancy of the legislature. He is not allowing the legislature to function properly, effectively which is why we feel it is high time we give a strong message in the form of this resolution seeking his removal,” he said.-By Our Reporter
opposition alone can’t remove the speaker. I think CM’S DISSIDENTS must have been playing the trick behind.