By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 7: Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma on Sunday said he will not succumb to any pressure and arrive at a decision on the Congress’ disqualification petition without any bias.
He also said that he will do what the Constitution allows.
“Anybody is welcome to approach and get their demand heard. I will certainly do my duty. I will not succumb to anyone’s demand or questioning. I will try to do what the law says and the Constitution allows and permits me to do,” said Sangma.
Recently, the Congress had petitioned the Speaker seeking the disqualification of its four MLAs who joined the National People’s Party.
The Congress said any decision by the Speaker against the appeal will be challenged in the High Court of Meghalaya.
“Regarding that petition against the Congress legislators, I received the petition from the general secretary of the state Congress party. I’m examining it. I have referred it for some legal advice, so I will come out with my reply and my decision very soon,” the Speaker said. The four legislators named in the petition are Ronnie V Lyngdoh, Celestine Lyngdoh, Gabriel Wahlang, and Charles Marngar. The petition was submitted to Assembly Commissioner and Secretary Andrew Simons.
The Congress has maintained that the defection started when the first three MLAs left illegally – two MLAs jumped ship first, followed by another 48 hours later.
According to the Congress, in both cases the clause of 66% or two-thirds majority was not fulfilled and that, this is the reason why the Congress took up this fight.