Post of LO: Congress, TMC write to Speaker

SHILLONG, March 19: With the first Budget session of the 11th Meghalaya Legislative Assembly set to commence from Monday without the Leader of Opposition (LO), the Congress party has written to Assembly Speaker, Thomas A. Sangma urging him to appoint Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, Ronnie V. Lyngdoh as the LO.
According to sources, the party contended that it deserves the post of LO, being the oldest national party.
The sources also revealed that the TMC has also written to the Assembly Speaker, countering the claim of the Congress and asserting that deserves the post as it is a national party.
TMC senior legislator and former Speaker, Charles Pyngrope on Sunday said they were waiting for the Speaker to take a call on the matter.
Asked if TMC and Congress would form an alliance to stake claim to the post of LoP, Pyngrope said the formation of an opposition alliance was a different matter and added that appointment of a LoP was the discretion of the Assembly Speaker.
Meanwhile, a senior legislator, on condition of anonymity, said that there is no specific rule that authorises or allows the Assembly Speaker to appoint anyone from the opposition bench as LoP.
“However, it is the discretion of the Speaker to decide on the matter,” the legislator said.