SHILLONG: The Opposition has moved a no-confidence motion against Assembly Speaker A.T. Mondal to be taken up during the Autumn Session of the House starting on September 9.
Sources said on Thursday that Opposition member James Sangma (NPP) submitted a letter expressing lack of confidence in the Assembly Speaker to the Assembly Secretariat on Tuesday to be taken up in the upcoming Assembly session.
Though the Speaker is being targetted by the Opposition, sources added that the actual move is to oust Chief Minister Mukul Sangma which will normally follow after the removal of the Speaker.
This is the second time in a span of one year that the Opposition is moving a no confidence motion against the Speaker.
The sudden development comes at a time when the Congress legislators are still unhappy with the style of functioning of the chief minister as their demand was for change of leadership and not for cabinet reshuffle.
Sources said the Opposition may cite the short session of just five days as the reason for the removal of the Speaker.
Sources also added that the motion can be taken up during the session if at least 12 members support it.
Earlier in March last year, a similar attempt was made by the Opposition to remove the Speaker and subsequently to remove the chief minister who was facing rebellion within the party.
Dramatic incidents marked the no confidence motion last year as Deputy Speaker Sanbor Shullai resigned from the post, two days ahead of the no-confidence motion against the Speaker.
Later the no-confidence motion was defeated by voice vote, but not before the House witnessed a noisy scene with Opposition members criticizing the appointment of a panel of Chairmen by the Assembly Speaker, a day before the motion was taken up. The Opposition had alleged that it was a ploy to defeat the motion.
It is yet to be known who will preside over the House when the motion against the Speaker will be taken up since the post of Deputy Speaker is vacant.
