By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Though HSPDP MLA Ardent Basaiawmoit has opposed the decision of the Congress and its allies to propose the name of AT Mondal for the Speaker’s post, many of the elected legislators have already made up their mind to vote for Mondal.
The Shillong Times on Sunday spoke to leaders from various parties and sought their reaction on whether the identity of an individual matters while holding the post of the Speaker.
Congress leader and MLA from Shillong East, Ampareen Lyngdoh, said, “We cannot be communal as at the end of the day we are Indians first and then divided into different groups and races.”
She is also of the view that the capability of the individual must be looked into and added that Mondal has all the qualifications required to be a Speaker.
“India is a country of various languages and races and we all are equal in the eyes of the Constitution,” she added.
National People’s Party (NPP) leader and legislator, James Sangma, said that constitutionally there is no bar on any non tribal to be the Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly.
He, however, said that the opposition does not have any say in the appointment of the Speaker as the ruling alliance decides the matter.
Another MLA, who does not wish to be named, said, “AT Mondal is my friend and I am definitely going to vote for him.”
NCP State general secretary Constantine Thma said that the party will discuss the matter in its meeting.
“The sentiment of the local people has to be respected but we cannot oppose the appointment of AT Mondal as the Speaker as we are a national party,” he said, while admitting that it was a difficult situation for the party.
KHNAM general secretary Adelbert Nongrum, however, asserted that the party condemned the move of the Congress in proposing the name of AT Mondal for the post of Speaker.
“We are not communal but the head of the State Legislature should be either a Khasi or a Garo or a Jaintia,” he said.
Meanwhile, the KSU has also opposed the move to appoint a non-tribal as the Speaker.
Evoking similar sentiments, KSU general secretary Auguster Jyrwa said that it would be unfit for a non-tribal to serve the State as a Speaker. The Union maintained that there are many senior Khasi and Garo Congressmen who are capable of handling the responsibilities.
“We do not want a non-tribal to be given this post and we are totally against this move by the government,” Jyrwa added.