Speaker admits Opposition moved no-trust motion against Meghalaya government

The Opposition, which comprises three regional parties and has the strength of 16 members including two independents, served the notice for the no-trust vote on Monday.

GUWAHATI: In politically-instable Meghalaya, the Assembly Speaker on Wednesday admitted a no-confidence motion, moved against ruling Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) government by a combined Opposition.

A discussion on the motion will take place in the Assembly on Thursday.

The Opposition, which comprises three regional parties and has the strength of 16 members including two independents, served the notice for the no-trust vote on Monday.

The opposition Meghalaya People’s Front (MPF) has eight United Democratic Party (UDP) legislators and two from the Nationalist People’s Party while the other opposition Hill State People’s Democratic Party has six MLAs including two Independents.

Last week, the opposition parties had sought the removal of the Speaker, Abu Taher Mondal. He fixed September 16 for a discussion on the Opposition’s resolution for his removal.

On the no-trust motion against the Mukul Sangma government, the Speaker said it was admitted as at least 10 members of the House had supported it.

In the 60-member Meghalaya House, the ruling MUA has 44 legislators, including 30 of the Congress, two of the NCP, 11 independents and another of a regional party, and as such, it does not see any threat to the government, at least for now.

“We are optimistic about sailing through,” former Chief Minister and Pradesh Congress Committee chief, DD Lapang, told Express.

Earlier this year, a section of the Congress MLAs had raised the banner of revolt against Sangma but he managed to stave off the threat to his chair in quick time.

A major player in the Opposition, the regional UDP is pinning hopes on getting the support of some disgruntled Congress MLAs during the no-confidence motion.

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