Speaker survives no confidence motion

Opposition Leader Dr Donkupar Roy sought a clarification on the reconstitution of the panel of chairmen by the Assembly Speaker AT Mondal on Tuesday when the no confidence motion was to be taken up a day later. NPP’s James K Sangma who was the most vocal amongst the opposition asked if it was morally right to reconstitute the panel of chairmen after Danggo’s resigtion. Lyngdoh, quoting the rules however, said that rules are clear that the Speaker with the power vested upon him can constitute the panel of chairmen from time to time.

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, March 25: The opposition failed to take up the No Confidence Motion against Speaker AT Mondal on the concluding day of the Budget Session of the Meghalaya Assembly after there was a ruckus over the resigtion of Martin M Danggo from the panel of Chairman.

The opposition sought to know from Chairman, Ronnie V Lyngdoh on whether it was right to reconstitute the panel of chairmen after Danggo’s resigtion on Tuesday.

Lyngdoh who had to preside over the proceedings of the house as the Chairman after a No Confidence Motion was brought against the Speaker had repeatedly warned the opposition that he would put the motion to vote if they did not initiate a discussion.    

Since the opposition failed to initiate the debate on the No Confidence Motion, Lyngdoh put it to vote voice which was defeated.

The opposition members were surprised to see Danggo, being present in the assembly before discussion on the No Confidence Motion when a day earlier the Speaker had announced that he was undergoing medical treatment.

Opposition Leader Dr Donkupar Roy sought a clarification on the reconstitution of the panel of chairmen by the Assembly Speaker AT Mondal on Tuesday when the no confidence motion was to be taken up a day later.

NPP’s James K Sangma who was the most vocal amongst the opposition asked if it was morally right to reconstitute the panel of chairmen after Danggo’s resigtion.

Lyngdoh, quoting the rules however, said that rules are clear that the Speaker with the power vested upon him can constitute the panel of chairmen from time to time.

Danggo clarifying on the matter said that he did went for a medical checkup and since he was apprehensive that may be detained by hospital authorities decided to resign from the panel of chairmen.

Intervening into the matter, senior Congress legislator, Dr DD Lapang said that the opposition was deviating from their main agenda (No Confidence Motion).

Dr Lapang also pointed out that when Mondal announced the resigtion of Danggo on Tuesday they did not raised any objection.

Replying to the charges, James Sangma said, “We did not raise any objection yesterday since we thought he was ill.” UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh also pointed out that there is no indication in the bulletin received by the members mentioning that the member had resigned from the panel of chairmen.