SHILLONG, March 9: Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma on Thursday said he is consulting legal experts on the matter relating to the post of Leader of Opposition (LO).
He said the rule clearly says that an opposition party must have at least one/sixth of the total number of members of the House to claim the post of LO.
The Trinamool Congress and the Congress have five MLAs each while the Voice of the People Party (VPP) has four.
“I have already sought some advice from legal experts on this matter. I will be giving my opinions only after my legal consultations are completed,” the Speaker told reporters.
He further said that none from the Opposition parties approached him so far.
“Let’s wait and see. A decision will be taken following the consultations with the legal experts. I feel that the members of the Opposition should also come and give their views,” Sangma said.
He said there will be no Opposition at all if there is no LO.
“If there is an Opposition alliance, it should at least have 10 MLAs. I think this is as per the rules and procedures of the House,” he added.
Congress Legislature Party leader, Ronnie V Lyngdoh had on Wednesday said the MLAs of the opposition parties will meet after the election to the post of Speaker.
The Opposition MLAs already have an understanding although an Opposition alliance is yet to be formed, Lyngdoh had said, adding they will meet the Speaker as Opposition MLAs.
The VPP made it clear it will not to be a part of any move to form an Opposition alliance.
