Speaker Mondal safe, Opp withdrew NC

SHILLONG, SEPT 16: In a replay of yesterday, the opposition on Friday withdrew the no confidence motion seeking the removal of the Speaker Abu Taher Mondal in the last day of autumn session on Friday.

The withdrawal of the NC against the Speaker followed the opposition withdrew the no-confidence motion against the ruling Congress led MUA-II government after a marathon 6-hour long debate yesterday.

The resolution which accuses the Speaker of curtailing the vibrancy of the legislature and delay in construction of the assembly building for past 15 years was supposed to be disposed off today.

However, the Speaker informed the house that a letter was received from opposition NPP MLA James K Sangma, who informed that he wished to withdraw and not move the resolution submitted on August 30.

Deciding not to put the resolution to vote, Mondal declared that the resolution is withdrawn.

Yesterday, Hill State People Democratic Party chief Ardent M Basaiawmoit, who moved the NC along with two other regional parties, withdrew the NC following an exhaustive two hour-long reply of the chief minister.

Sought for his comment, chief minister Mukul Sangma said that after having an effective debate yesterday, it is only obvious there was no further need to have any other debate which can actually dilute the outcome of yesterday’s debate.

“I look at it in that way as the whole submission which emerged in the course of discussion on the NC motion, today’s resolution to remove the Speaker would only negate that whole positive outcome,” Sangma said.

Meanwhile, the two Independent legislators from Garo Hills – John Leslee K Sangma and Saleng A Sangma, who were in the opposition for so long – continued to skip the session today.

Asked whether the ruling Congress is likely to invite them, the chief minister said that those things will also be discussed.-By Our Reporter