Shillong, Aug 28: Following the resignation of Congress legislator Ronnie V. Lyngdoh as the Leader of Opposition (LO) in Meghalaya Assembly, Songsak legislator and Trinamool Congress leader (TMC), Dr. Mukul Sangma, on Wednesday submitted his candidature for the post.
Interestingly, Congress has decided to support TMC for the LO’s post. Ronnie also submitted his letter of support to TMC to Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma.
Following the merger of 3 Congress MLAs with National People’s Party (NPP) earlier this month, Ronnie Lyngdoh is the lone Congress legislator in Meghalaya Assembly.
Congress had won 5 seats in the 2023 State Assembly elections, but its number was reduced to 4 when Saleng A. Sangma won the Tura MP elections earlier this year. The number further came down to just one with 3 of its legislators joining the ruling NPP.
With the weakening of Congress, TMC has emerged as the biggest opposition party in the State, with 5 legislators. The NPP is the biggest party in the state, holding an absolute majority with 31 MLAs in the 60-member house.
Meanwhile, Speaker Thomas A. Sangma said he is reviewing Dr Mukul Sangma’s claim to the post of Leader of Opposition. “Yes, I have received their (TMC) letter of submission staking claim to get the position of LO but I am still examining it. I have received it and I think I will be making a decision very soon,” he said.
Mukul was also the Leader of Opposition in the 10th Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
Asked, the Speaker said, “They now have a total of 6 numbers, which is exactly 10% of the total strength of the House. They have fulfilled that criteria but there other things it is not only the requirement so I am reserving my decision, I will take a call on that very soon.”
On the post of Opposition chief whip, Sangma said, “As per the claim of the TMC, as they have the support of lone Congress MLA, they have requested that the post of LO be given to TMC and the Opposition Chief Whip be given to Ronnie V Lyngdoh.”
Read: MCA holds 18th Apex Council Meeting in Tura, makes bid to host U-23 BCCI Tournament
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 in Meghalaya Assembly, Songsak legislator and Trinamool Congress leader (TMC), Dr. Mukul Sangma, on Wednesday submitted his candidature for the post.){kind=link}