By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Assembly Speaker Abu Taher Mondal has finally recognised Meghalaya People’s Front (MPF) as the main Opposition alliance.
Informing this here on Wednesday, UDP working president and MPF spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh said an official communiqué in this regard was received from the Assembly secretary H Mylliemngap on Tuesday.
Expressing happiness over the Speaker’s action, Lyngdoh said the long wait was finally over.
The MPF comprises of 13 MLAs – UDP (8), NPP (2), GNC (1) and Independents (2).
Earlier, former Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy was recognized as the Leader of Opposition.
However, his party UDP with eight members could not get status of main opposition party as it fell short of two seats. Minimum 10 members (one-sixth of the total strength of the 60-member House) are required for a party to be recognized as the main Opposition party.
But in the case of Dr Roy, Mondal followed a ruling of the former Assembly Speaker Late EK Mawlong which said that any party with even six members (one-tenth of the total strength of the House of 60) in the Assembly can be recognized as the main opposition party and its leader can be named the leader of opposition.
Demand for a special Assembly session
Meanwhile, immediately after getting recognition the MPF urged the Speaker to convene a special session of the Assembly to discuss several burning issues including implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system to check influx of illegal migrants to the State.
Stating that the unabated influx of illegal migrants to Meghalaya and the perceptible change in the demographic pattern of the State is a matter of grave concern, MPF spokesperson said the indigenous population is facing a serious threat of becoming a minority in their own State.
“The Government cannot continue to prolong in putting in place a full proof mechanism to address the problem of influx,” Lyngdoh said adding a special Assembly session would give an opportunity to the members to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation in Garo Hills.