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| From left: Meghalaya Speaker Charles Pyngrope listens to NCP legislator Sanbor Shullai and his lawyer Devojit Saikia in his chamber on Friday. Picture by UB Photos |
Shillong, Sept. 28: The NCP lodged a formal complaint today, seeking disqualification of its legislators who recently “merged” with the National People’s Party (NPP).
NCP legislator Sanbor Shullai lodged the complaint with Meghalaya Assembly secretary H. Mylliemngap.
On August 24, 12 NCP legislators announced their decision to “merge” with the NPP.
The 12 legislators include Conrad K. Sangma, James P.K. Sangma, Timothy D. Shira, John Manner Marak, Omillo K. Sangma, Nihim D. Shira, Desang M. Sangma, Marcuise N. Marak, Phillipole Marak, Masonsing Sangma, Satto Marak and E.C. Boniface Bamon.
However, Chokpot legislator Masonsing Sangma passed away on September 18.
A week after the “merger”, the NCP leadership asked Speaker Charles D. Pyngrope to disqualify the legislators as they had violated the provisions of the Tenth Schedule.
Pyngrope had said the complaint lodged by the NCP leadership was untenable, as it was not put forward by a member of the House.
Following a directive from the party leadership, Shullai today lodged the official complaint.
Assam additional advocate general Devojit Saikia, who accompanied Shullai, told reporters that the complaint against the 11 legislators was made under the Tenth Schedule, which provides that an elected member cannot defect to any political party till the next Assembly election takes place.
“Through the statements made in the media, it was evident that they had disassociated themselves from the NCP, under whose ticket they were elected in 2008. They have joined the NPP, which till recently, had no existence in Meghalaya,” Saikia said.
Pyngrope said he would first have to examine the complaint before arriving at any decision.
“Till now, I have not received any document intimating me about the merger. I will examine the complaint before taking a call,” he said.
The NPP, a Manipur-based party, emerged in Meghalaya after former Lok Sabha Speaker and former NCP general secretary Purno Agitok Sangma made an unsuccessful bid to Rashtrapati Bhavan.
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