Mukul says Meghalaya Speaker should select LO for proper opposition representation

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 20: All India Trinamool Congress leader and former chief minister Mukul Sangma today said the issue as to who will represent the opposition bench in the Assembly is left to the wisdom of the Speaker.

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“We have left it to the wisdom of the Speaker,” Sangma, who is also a former leader of the opposition, told reporters.

Three opposition parties including Congress and the Voice of the People Party are in a fix now as to who should become the leader of the opposition in the 11th Meghalaya Legislative Assembly considering the fact that as per rule, a party which is represented by the Leader of Opposition should have at least 10 members in the Assembly (one-sixth of the total strength of 60 members in the House) for recognition.

But the opposition parties – Congress, and Trinamool Congress (TMC) have five MLAs each, while the VPP has four MLAs, which is much below the strength of 10 members.

The former chief minister however said, “You go by history. In 2013-2018, when we were in the ruling, what did we do? We allow having a leader of opposition in spite of the number not being able to fulfil that criterion as per rules and conduct of business in this August House. And earlier, the same thing happened in 2008-2013.”

Stating that there are records available for reference, he said, “Therefore, we are leaving it to the wisdom of the Speaker,” while adding “Because these issues are based on how do we ensure that there is no vacuum because if you are looking at various other aspects of responsibilities which revolves around various laws and implementation of laws by the government, you will see the requirement of the role of opposition.”

Sangma further informed that the three opposition parties are yet to sit properly to discuss the issue.

“We are yet to sit on this particular issue and therefore, there is a kind of lack of synergy in as far as this decision is concerned. We hope to have a sitting and have a certain kind of decision which will be arrived at with the wisdom of all concerns,” he said.

Meghalaya TMC leader Mukul Sangma emphasizes on constructive role of 3 Opposition parties

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 9: TMC leader and former leader of the opposition Mukul Sangma said the three opposition parties have to synergize the overall mandate and collectively take issues which are confronting the people of the state.

Sangma told reporters that as far as the question of the leader of the opposition is concerned, it depends on how the Speaker determines because there are certain rules which need to be referred to.

He said at the same time there has been precedence during their time when the opposition was only 7 and there was a notification to that effect appointing a leader of the opposition.

“Remember late Dr Donkupar Roy between 2013 and 2018, he was LO. We notified him,” he said while adding “Let us expect that good sense prevails because at the end of the day, as I reasserted time and again, we must realize one thing that we are all under the constant scrutiny of the people whom we represent and therefore, our purpose is to be in sync with that whole trust and confidence with which people have elected us and given us the mandate.”

He asserted the need for all opposition parties to synergize their efforts collectively in the interest of the people and the state.

On VPP’s decision to maintain a separate identity in the opposition bench, Sangma said, “We have three different groups here – the TMC, INC and VPP. We have our own respective identities as far as political parties. So there is no question of diluting that. While saying so is the role of the opposition as we synchronize and synergize our effort collectively towards achieving our purpose, fulfilling our purpose that is what I am saying and that will enable us to be effective as opposition, constructive as opposition and deliver what is expected through this whole collective exercise that we do.”

“As we have said, we will always be reminded of the trust and confidence with which people have elected us and sent us with this mandate. Therefore, our role will always be guided by this conscience, the conscience which reminds us of our responsibility towards the larger good of the people and our responsibility towards protecting the interest of the state,” he added.

Sangma said that the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and the Indian National Congress (INC) will continue to meet on the matter. “It is just the beginning, have some patience,” he stated.

Mukul Sangma questions BJP’s move to back Meghalaya NPP-led MDA-2.0

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 9: Former chief minister Mukul Sangma today questioned BJP’s decision to support the National People’s Party-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance – 2.0 government despite its promise of zero tolerance against corruption.

Sangma told reporters that BJP had said that there is a need to change the MDA regime and the reason being the issue of corruption.

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“Now issue corruption if they have been so rhetoric on issues of corruption and suddenly they realize that they didn’t get the numbers and surrender, it is not something which is expected by the people nor by political parties like us because with every political party lies a huge responsibility, responsibility towards the larger good of the people and interest of the state,” he said.

“Now doesn’t BJP subscribe to the idea of walking the talk and at the same time doesn’t they realize the huge amount of responsibility that they have being the political party who is governing this great nation and also BJP must be reminded of the fact that none other than the prime minister himself have promised to the people of this great nation that come what may there will be zero tolerance against corruption,” he said.

Asserting the need to understand the responsibility that comes along with every mandate, Sangma said, “Whether you win the election or not but you have shared the votes of the people. Whether the percentage of votes is enough to convert into winning or otherwise but the fact is that people have repose a certain amount of confidence even if the number is not enough to make the party have that kind of number they expected but nevertheless their words were taken by the people, people have believed them that is why people have gone towards their party and therefore, the responsibility of that political party towards fulfilling their commitment lies.”