MDA to soon take a call on Assembly Speaker’s post: Sangma

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 7, 2019

SHILLONG: The National People’s Party (NPP) leader and chief adviser to the chief minister, Thomas Sangma on Wednesday said the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) will soon take a collective decision on the Assembly Speaker’s post. 

The top post in the Assembly fell vacant following the demise of the former Speaker and United Democratic Party (UDP) chief Dr Donkupar Roy on July 28. 

“Officially we are yet to sit but we will sit as MDA (very soon to decide on the matter),” Sangma told reporters here.

The UDP is the main ally of the National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government. It was formed in March last year with an understanding that the Speaker’s post should go to the UDP and the chief minister’s post to the NPP. 

Admitting this, Sangma however said, “We will take everyone’s opinion and we will go by the voice of the majority.” 

Whether the NPP is considering taking the post to itself, the NPP leader said, “If the opportunity comes to us of course NPP will definitely want to have the Speaker’s post but we are not forcing it.”

Asked if he is keen to take the Speaker’s post, the former Rajya Sabha MP said, “It is not like that me being keen to take the post but if the partners want of course anybody who will be offered that post will have to take it with honor and try to be able to fulfill the aspirations of the House or of the MLAs.” 

“Of course as a responsible person if the responsibility is given why should anybody just shirk away  but it is not that it is being offered to me I am willing in any capacity to serve the state,” he said adding “Everybody is open to their opinion but it is the elected representatives who will take the call.” 

On his role as chief adviser to the chief minister, Sangma said the chief minister would call him whenever he feels that my opinion is needed.