SHILLONG: The chief executive member of the KHADC, PN Syiem, has questioned the rationale behind Mansturdy Nongrum becoming the leader of the opposition when his party, HSPDP, has only three members in the council as against the rule of four.
Addressing the House on Wednesday, Syiem echoed the point of order raised by UDP MDC Equator Nongrang who pointed out that Nongrem resigned from the Congress and joined HSPDP.
“As per the rules, there has to be four members and above to be the leader of the opposition,” Nongrang said on the second day of the Budget session.
Syiem, while pointing out that the leader of the opposition should secure one-sixth of the members, said, “The House has to be guided by the rules and law. We are also confused, Mr Chairman, Sir… Mansturdy Nongrem joined HSPDP, which has only three members, while Congress has four. I want to know under what rules he still enjoys as the leader of the Opposition. This will create a bad precedent in the days to come.”
“What is the coalition alliance of the opposition that recognises Mansturdy Nongrem as the leader of opposition,” he added.
KHADC Chairman LG Nongsiej said till date he has not received any letter whereas the letter recommended by the parliamentary party leader of the Congress still remains.
Meanwhile, Nongrem said, “This is not my job but it is the job of your office (Chairman’s office). At the same time, if there is any objection, it has to come from the fellow members in the opposition and not from the ruling side.”
Pointing that the ruling coalition is called the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) led by Syiem with a total strength of 18 MDCs, Syiem said it depended on the chairman to take necessary steps if the opposition did not inform him about the name of the coalition.
The chairman said, “Our office will do the needful.”
The political parties sitting in the opposition in the KHADC are Congress, HSPDP-UDP.
However, UDP MDC Equator Nongrang extended his support to PDA led by Syiem.
The UDP-HSPDP, PDF are part of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance.
