By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 29: The Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) staged a walkout in the Meghalaya Assembly on Thursday after their demand to not allow Education Minister Rakkam Sangma to reply to their concerns was rejected by the Deputy Speaker.
The party also made it clear that it will continue to boycott Rakkam Sangma.
Raising a short-duration discussion on the appointment of teachers in Dadenggre Sub-Division, VPP leader Ardent M Basaiawmoit said either the Chief Minister or the Deputy Chief Minister should reply as an FIR has been filed against the Education Minister over certain adverse remarks.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong intervened, citing rules that prohibit personal charges against members. He questioned the VPP’s reason for bringing up the issue in the Assembly, suggesting that the law should take its course.
A quick exchange of words followed, with Basaiawmoit stating that they raised the issue in the Assembly as the Education Minister, an elected representative, made a public statement.
The Deputy Speaker allowed the Education Minister to reply and the VPP members walked out in protest.
The Education Minister began his reply by stating that “educated people reason instead of fighting”.
Meanwhile, Speaker Thomas A Sangma said the statement by the VPP MLA against the Education minister has been expunged from the House’s proceedings.
“The statement was not relevant. He did not need to bring this up in the House, so we have expunged it,” he said.
Commenting on the walkout, he clarified that the Chief Minister was unwell and had to leave. “The Chief Minister cannot come like that, and he was not feeling well, so he returned home. That was it,” he explained.
“It is their decision. It is not our decision. We did not force them to walk out. The minister concerned replied to their question. It was their choice,” he further said.
Regarding the opposition’s conduct, the Speaker asserted that political parties have the freedom to act as they wish, provided it remains within democratic bounds.
Following the walkout, Basaiawmoit said, “I addressed this issue to the Chief Minister. I do not want to engage in any kind of discussion with a person who wants to see bloodshed between two communities. He wants to promote enmity. We had filed an FIR against him.”
Justifying his walkout, he said there is a lack of action on FIRs by law enforcement agencies. “We have taken this issue very seriously, but the law has not taken any action. It is not proper on our part to behave as if nothing has happened. It does not mean that just because he is a minister we will spare him,” he said.
Basaiawmoit warned that the opposition would persist in holding the government accountable. “Let it remain on record that we have such ministers in this government who are willing to go to any extent, harming the relationship between two communities just for their personal or electoral benefits,” he said.
Asking why the matter should not be brought up in the Assembly, he said: “What’s so special about the Assembly? We represent the people, so what is the problem if we bring it up? There should be no immunity.”
The VPP leader also hinted at taking the matter to court if necessary. “We have filed an FIR, we will discuss, and if needed, we will approach the high court,” he said.