SHILLONG: Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker, Timothy D Shira believes that the ‘anti-Congress’ stand of the all the coalition partners would ensure that the present Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) complete its full term of five years .
“All the coalition partners in the present ruling coalition are ‘anti-Congress’. This will help to bind all the coalition partners. I am confident that the present coalition government would last its full term. May be it will go beyond the term,” Shira told media persons here on Thursday .
Stating that the previous coalition government did not survive since it was a loose coalition, he added that the previous MPA Government which collapsed a year later after its formation with the support of only 31 MLAs, it was bound to collapse.
He however said that the present coalition Government led by the NPP has the support of almost 40 MLAs adding that it is growing from strength to strength with the passage of time.
“Under the able-leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, there are more MLAs who are keen to be part of the present coalition Government,” the Deputy Speaker claimed.
When asked if the Congress in Meghalaya is trying to destablise the present Government, the Deputy Speaker said that it is the duty of the opposition party to destablise the present Government.
“Whether former Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma would be able to destablise the present Government is the biggest question mark,” he said.
Referring to the decision of Ranikor Congress legislator, Martin M Danggo to switch to the NPP, he said that the Congress did not pay any heed to the demand of Danggo for creation of the Ranikor Civil Sub Division despite being in the party for many long years.
“The present Government feels it is fully justified to create the Civil Sub Division since Ranikor is one of the most backward areas of the State,” Shira said.
He said that the people of Ranikor area irrespective of its party affiliation would support Danggo in the by-election if he decides to resign as an MLA.