Friday, March 13, 2009

RS Mooshahary directs Meghalaya CM to take floor test


Raju Das
SHILLONG, March 12 – Meghalaya Governor RS Mooshahary advised Chief Minister Donkupar Roy to take a floor test to prove majority on Tuesday after two Ministers from the ruling Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) Cabinet resigned today. The Governor took the decision after Opposition Congress leader DD Lapang met the Governor at the Raj Bhavan and said a no-confidence motion would be moved against the MPA coalition government after resignation of the two Ministers.

Earlier today, Urban Affairs Minister Paul Lyngdoh and Health Minister Advisor Pariong tendered their resignation as Cabinet Ministers in the MPA coalition Government.

The Congress also moved a no-confidence against the Assembly Speaker Bindo M Lanong.

The former Chief Minister termed as “unfortunate” the Assembly Speaker spelling out his intention of possible disqualification of two Independent legislators, Ismail R Marak and Limison D Sangma, which he said smacks of bias.

Both defected from the MPA and joined Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance.

The MPA and the United Democratic Party has filed petitions to the Speaker against Marak and Sangma for their disqualification under the anti-defection law. The Speaker is yet to issue show cause notices to the two independent MLAs.

In the daylong political drama, Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) President and Deputy Chief Minister Hopingstone Lyngdoh said a “missing person case” would be filed with the police as the Health Minister is yet to be traced. Lyngdoh and Pariong are the two legislators representing HSPDP in the MPA.

The Deputy Chief Minister added that a case would also be filed against Urban Affairs minister Paul Lyngdoh of Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) party for violating the spirit of the MPA agreement by resigning from the coalition.

Chief Minister Roy, meanwhile indicated if his government is pushed against the wall he would not hesitate to dissolve the Assembly although he exuded confidence of wining a trail of strength in the House. ASSAM TRIBUNE

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