Shillong, Sept 20: Meghalaya Assembly Speaker, Thomas A. Sangma on Wednesday expunged the statement made by the opposition MLA and former chief minister, Dr Mukul Sangma accusing Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma of having close links with an alleged drug kingpin from Mizoram who had been arrested ten years back.
The Assembly Speaker took the decision to expunge the statement of the former chief minister after the Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Parliamentary Affairs, Prestone Tynsong had raised a point of order demanding the removal of the statement.
Sangma stated that the House is known for its reputation to be a very disciplined one in the entire country.
“Let us not engage in calling names and making allegations without substantiated evidence,” the Assembly Speaker said.
Stating that he has examined the matter, he said that as per rule 279 A of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has mentioned that a member shall not make any personal charge against a member.
“Under Rule 304, gives the Speaker the power to expunge the statement made by any member from the proceeding. Therefore, in exercise of power under Rule 304 of the above I expunge the statement made by Dr Mukul Sangma from the proceeding as it violates Rule 279 A,” he said.
The Assembly Speaker further said that the speech made by Dr Mukul Sangma on the matter and unsubstantiated allegations against the Chief Minister will not be part of the proceedings of the House and hereby expunged from the proceedings of the house of September 19.
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister had mentioned that during the course of discussion, former chief minister had shown in the mobile the picture of the Chief Minister with a so-called convicted person.
“I would like to request the Speaker that the statement made yesterday by Sangma during the discussion on the motion should be expunged. The proceeding of the House is reflective of the proceeding of the House on the submission made by him yesterday,” he said.
Reacting to this, former chief minister said that he feels that the Deputy Chief Minister who has proposed to expunge his submission had misinterpreted the basic content of the submission itself.
He further said that the person concerned whose name was reflected in the national media was an alleged accused.
“I have not made an allegation that any substantive crime has been committed by referring to what was reflected in the photograph. I have made my submission saying that we have to be careful and cautious as to whom we are associated with while we occupy office of authority or position,” former Chief Minister added.