Assembly Speaker yet to decide on appointment of new LO

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 23, 2024

Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma on Friday said he is yet to take a decision on the appointment of a new leader of opposition following the Congress being reduced to a solo performer in the House.

According to him, no opposition party has made any submission on the issue.

Speaking to reporters, Sangma said his office may soon issue a denotification order against Congress legislator from Mylliem Ronnie V Lyngdoh as opposition leader.

“I think everybody knows that the present sitting leader of opposition has only one member left in the House so the Speaker’s office will have to denotify him. (At the same time) I am waiting for the present incumbent to submit his resignation without having to denotify him,” he added.

Asked if LO post would go to the TMC being the largest party in the opposition bench, the Speaker however said, “That I cannot say as none of the party from the opposition side has submitted any prayer for that. So, I can take my time to make a decision and I can examine the matter. Without anybody making a submission I cannot make a decision to appoint anybody just like that.”

“So far no submission has come from any party from the opposition so it gives me time to think and examine my future course of action,” he added.

Further, the Speaker said, “To have an opposition you need 10% of the strength of the total house but as of now none of the parties in the opposition has that requisite number so it is not necessary for me to take a quick decision on this but I can still examine and take my time.”

“Last time, even parliament did not have an opposition leader but I am not saying that I will take that kind of same steps,” he stated.

Featured Image: Meghalaya Legislative Assembly