ATM elected speaker, makes history

SHILLONG, MAR 11: As chief minister Mukul Sangma led Abu Taher Mondal to the Meghalaya legislative assembly speaker’s chair, history was created in the state as he became the first non-tribal to be chosen by the august house for this constitutional position.

Incidentally, Mondal also holds the distinction of being the first non-tribal from Meghalaya to be made a minister by late chief minister BB Lyngdoh, who was one of the tallest political leaders in the state, in 1998.

The path breaking decision of Lyngdoh paved the way for other chief ministers to always include one non-tribal minister in the council of minister. Even veteran Congress legislator Dhurba Nath Joshi was made a minister only after Mondal.

As Mondal was elected the Meghalaya assembly speaker unopposed on Monday, he made reference to the first Meghalaya chief minister Capt WA Sangma for creating space for the non-tribal of the state by including general assembly seats for them and also late BB Lyngdoh for choosing him as the first non-tribal minister in the state.

After being elevated to the speaker’ post an emotional Mondal promised to contribute and work for the growth of this tribal state. He said though he may not have a tribal feature, but “whatever he does and speak will be for the people of this tribal state.”

Mondal told the house, “I assure that none of my actions will undermine the faith repose on me by this august house and my endeavour will be to look into the interest of all the members irrespective of their position.”

After Mondal was elected the assembly speaker unopposed, legislators cutting across political parties congratulated  and expressed their confident in his stewardship as the newly elected speaker.

Chief minister Mukul Sangma while assuring his support and cooperation said, “People of the state will celebrate the vibrant nature of democracy as it created space for all sections of the society”

Addressing the speaker, Sangma said, “We have full faith in your capability to uphold the tradition, dignity and decorum of this house and provide space for all to reflect the aspiration of the people.”

Senior Congress leaders and former chief ministers SC Marak and DD Lapang also rose to speak during the felicitation of the new speaker and said that Meghalaya Assembly is known for quality debates besides maintaining its dignity, decorum and discipline. Both the leaders hoped that Mondal will be able to ensure that this reputation is maintained by guiding the legislators during the session and also ensure justice and impartiality in the house.

Legislators also appealed  to Mondal to look into issues relating to the construction of the new Meghalaya assembly building, MLAs pension scheme and other facilities.

Former chief minister and UDP president Donkupar Roy hoped that the new speaker will be able to finalize the site for the construction of the new Assembly building which is long overdue.  He also requested Mondal to revise the MLA facilities by ensuring all elected representative are allotted with new vehicles which is a long pending demand.

UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh also stood up and said by being elected to the speaker post Mondal has remove his party jersey and instead become a referee who is above party politics. He said, “We look forward to you to rise above ethnicity, party politics and partisan as the new speaker of the house.”

Lyngdoh also hoped that Mondal as speaker will be neutral in the assembly that has two football teams-treasury and opposition- wherein the treasury has more players than the opposition. He, therefore, urged the speaker to be neutral and give the opposition as much space as the treasury bench.

NPP legislator James Sangma also took part in the felicitation and said, “As a custodian we expect you to deliver your duty as a presiding officer with utmost dedication and sincerity.”

The NPP legislator said as a minister Mondal had always shown respect to the opposition and now that he is the speaker James requested that he must allot ample time to the opposition in the debates in the house. – By Evanjopline Dkhar & Suraj Joshi.