The trial of strength is slated for March 17 and there are apprehensions that the Speaker Bindo M.Lanong would disqualify the four members who quit the MPA coalition to join the Congress camp. Currently, the MPA government has been reduced to a minority with 29 members (excluding that of the speaker who only votes in case of a tie) and the Congress has 30 (26 plus 4 who switched over).
Governor S.R. Mooshahary had directed Assembly Speaker Bindo M. Lanong to maintain status quo in regards to all the members’ rights of free speech and voting and that there should be no other business except for the trial of strength of the year old Donkupar Roy-led ministry.
The Raj Bhavan’s directives to the Assembly secretariat came up after the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) expressed concerns on the “pre-conceived mind” of the speaker.
The speaker had already issued four show cause notices to four legislators, including two cabinet ministers and two Independent MLAs, who had quit the MPA ministry and joined the opposition fold.
The cabinet ministers include Paul Lyngdoh, the lone Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement legislator and Dr Adviser Parion of the Hills State People’s Democratic Party.
“I have assured the Governor that the proceeding in the House would be conducted as per the rules book of the State Assembly.” Lanong said