SHILLONG, March 20: Senior NPP legislator from Resubelpara Timothy D Shira on Monday was unanimously elected unopposed as Deputy Speaker of the 11th Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
This was after the three opposition parties – Congress, All India Trinamool Congress and Voice of the People Party – decided not to field any candidate against Shira.
Shira was also deputy speaker in the last Assembly.
“Since only one nomination paper was filed and found valid, I hereby declare Timothy D Shira elected as deputy speaker,” Speaker Thomas A Sangma announced.
Shira was felicitated by the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and former Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma on being elected to the coveted position in the House.
Expressing his thankfulness to all members for showing their faith and confidence in him for the second consecutive term, Shira assured that he would ensure that the legislature of the state is protected.
“I am also looking forward to constructive advices from both sides of the House,” he said while urging the members to maintain discipline and dignity of the House by ensuring good standards of debates.
Shira also assured to extend full support to the Speaker and said, “It is an honour and privilege to share the dias with you. I also thank the Almighty God for blessing (this House) with Thomas as a Speaker, Timothy as a Deputy Speaker and Paul as a Minister.”
Earlier while speaking during the felicitation of Shira, Conrad K Sangma said, “I would like to congratulate him (Shira) on occupying the seat of a deputy speaker. The fact that he was elected unanimously reflects the kind of acceptance that all members of the House have towards Shira.”
Stating that Shira has a lot of experience in running the House, he said, “I am sure along with yourself (Speaker) and him as deputy speaker, you will conduct (the House) in the best and just manner.”
Conrad also expressed hope that the Assembly will function in an efficient way so that productive works can be done and both ruling and opposition will get space in this House.
He said Shira is a very senior member of the House who started contesting election since 1976 and lauded his commitment towards serving the people of his constituency and the state.
Joining the leader of the House, former leader of opposition and AITC legislator from Songsak Mukul Sangma said he would like to have Shira sitting at the side of the opposition bench.
“We are happy to have him as deputy speaker,” he said.
Former Speaker and AITC legislator from Nongthymmai Charles Pyngrope, cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh, Congress legislator from Mylliem Ronnie V Lyngdoh and others also participated in felicitating Shira on being elected as deputy speaker.
