SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Friday defended the State government’s decision to pass the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya Amendment) Bill, 2015.
Replying to a query about KHADC CEM P.N Syiem still holding the post of MDC even after the passage of the Bill, Sangma said it does not contradict the constitution.
“Has the law been struck down? Has the law been declared null and void? The law stands,” the chief minister said, adding that the issue is a question of invoking conscience in the mind of people and telling them to create space for other young leaders to create an enabling environment for grooming young leaders for the benefit of the State.
Asked why the dual post holders were not allowed to complete their tenure as legislators and members of the district council, the chief minister said a law has to be made at certain point of time even as he pointed out that there is nothing wrong with the Act and that is why the Governor gave his assent to the Act. Replying to another query that the government has failed to take action against P.N Syiem who is still hanging to his post, Sangma said that the government’s job is to see whether the legislative measures requires some provision or not and added that the law does not take action.