Meghalaya speaker recognises merger of 12 members of Congress with the AITC

In a major setback to Congress in Meghalaya, speaker Metbah Lyngdoh has recognized the merger of 12 members of the Indian National Congress Legislature Party with the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC).The assembly bulletin stated, “On 29th November, 2021, ten petitions were filed and submitted to me by Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh, MLA against Dr. Mukul Sangma, Marthon Sangma, Jimmy D. Sangma, Lazarus M. Sangma, Miani D. Shira, H.M. Shangpliang, George B. Lyngdoh, Winnerson D. Sangma, Dikkanchi D. Shira and Zenith M. Sangma for disqualification under the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution of India.”As required, under Rule 7(3)(b) of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 1988, notices were issued from the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Secretariat to the MLAs asking them to submit their comments on the pleadings in the petitions filed.

The bulletin added, “Again, on 10th December, 2021, two more petitions were filed and submitted to me personally by Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh, MLA against Charles Pyngrope and Shitlang Pale for disqualification under the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution of India. As required, under Rule asking them to submit their comments on the pleadings in the petitions filed. After examining in detail all the 12 petitions filed by the Petitioner Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh and the comments received from all the Respondents, I am satisfied that the merger of the 12 Members of the Indian National Congress is valid as provided under paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution of India, and does not attract disqualification.”The speaker dismissed the petition as he found no merit in the submissions made in the petitions filed by Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh. Congress had 17 MLAs in Meghalaya.