Merger of 12 MLAs with AITC valid; no merit in INC's submission seeking their disqualification: Speaker Metbah
I am satisfied that the merger of the 12 members of INC is valid and does not attract disqualification. I do not find any merit in the submissions made in the petitions filed by Ampareen Lyngdoh,” said the Speaker.
SHILLONG:
Responding to the petition filed by Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, Ampareen Lyngdoh seeking disqualification of the 12 defected Congress MLAs, Meghalaya Assembly speaker Metbah Lyngdoh, on December 23, recognised the merger of the MLAs with the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), as provided under Paragraph IV of the Tenth schedule to the Constitution.
“I am satisfied that the merger of the 12 members of INC is valid and does not attract disqualification. I do not find any merit in the submissions made in the petitions filed by Ampareen Lyngdoh, and therefore, the same is hereby dismissed,” speaker Lyngdoh said in an order issued on Thursday.
The 12 legislators — Dr Mukul Sangma, Marthon Sangma, Jimmy Sangma, Lazarus Sangma, Miani Shira, H M Shangpliang, George Lyngdoh, Winnerson Sangma, Dikkanchi Shira, Zenith Sangma, Charles Pyngrope, and Shitlang Pale — had handed over the letter of merger to the speaker on November 24.
Meanwhile, reacting to the order of the Speaker, the CLP leader said that personally, she would not like to pursue the petition forward, but left it to the party president Vincent H. Pala for the final decision on the matter.
“I will not pursue this petition forward because our campaign will take priority in 2022. The party, however, may have a different view on the matter. Our President will decide, and we await his decision on the matter,” Lyngdoh said.
“However, taking this forward would be an unnecessary diversion from the task before us. We still have our election platforms to continue discussion on this betrayal and at the end of the day, the public will decide and present their verdict in upcoming elections,” she added.
Ampareen had, on November 29, filed a petition with the Speaker seeking disqualification of the said MLAs for violating the provisions under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India read with the provisions of Rule 6 of the Members of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 1988.
TNT-The Northeast Today is now on WhatsApp: CLICK HERE to receive more updates on your phone.
ALSO READ: Congress to file petition seeking disqualification of Charles Pyngrope and Shitlang Pale on Dec 10
