Shillong: It was a twin victory for the newly installed National People's Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government as it won both the Speaker's election and the vote of confidence in the Assembly during a special session here on Monday.
Seniormost legislator Donkupar Roy was elected Speaker of the tenth Meghalaya Assembly. The MDA coalition, led by chief minister Conrad K. Sangma, also won the vote of confidence in the House.
As an MLA of Shella constituency - for the seventh consecutive term since 1988 - Roy has held many positions over the last 30 years including that of the chief minister during 2008-2009.
At present, the 60-member House has 58 members. Former chief minister and leader of the Opposition Mukul Sangma represents Ampati and Songsak seats. The Williamnagar seat is yet to have an MLA as election was countermanded following the death of NCP candidate Jonathone N. Sangma.
Mukul chose not to vote from Songsak. Altogether 56 members from both the treasury benches and the Opposition cast their votes.
In the voting conducted through secret ballot, Roy defeated Congress candidate Winnerson D. Sangma by 15 votes.
Roy secured 35 votes with members from the ruling coalition voting in his favour, while Winnerson got 20 votes. Vote of one member was rejected because names of both the candidates were ticked on the ballot paper.
Pro tem Speaker Timothy D. Shira did not vote as he was presiding over the proceedings in the House. Lone KHNAM legislator Adelbert Nongrum skipped the session.
Roy, who has never lost any election, has been minister of state, chairman of the state planning board, minister in-charge finance, deputy chief minister and chief minister.
Chief minister Conrad K. Sangma, leader of the Opposition Mukul Sangma and other MLAs congratulated Roy. He thanked MLAs who have elected him to the Speakers' post and assured all that he will not use his position to victimise any member or topple governments.
"I have seen many elections to the post of Speaker. There were occasions when the ruling party would expect the Speaker to defend the government and the Opposition expected him to topple governments. I assure you that I will try my best to perform my duty to ensure stability and stay neutral as the Speaker," Roy said.
Admitting that it took him two years to be familiar with the proceedings of the House when he was first elected in 1988, the Speaker assured the newly elected MLAs of organising a training for them. He also assured them that he would pursue the matter related to construction of a new Assembly building which has been pending for the past 17 years.
Immediately after election of the Speaker, the MDA government tabled a vote of confidence through parliamentary affairs minister Prestone Tynsong expressing its confidence in the ministry led by chief minister Conrad K. Sangma.
However, before the Speaker could put it to vote, Mukul stood up and sought to know from the ruling coalition if the present government is led by the BJP.
"During elections, the parties that formed the government now had promised the people that they are not aligning with the BJP and the people have also given them the mandate on that line," Mukul said, while seeking clarity from Conrad if the new government is led by the BJP.
Mukul said that colour of cover files used during the swearing-in of council of ministers at the Raj Bhavan here and in Kohima was saffron. The issue led to heated arguments. In his reply, Conrad said that the government is led by parties which are part of the MDA coalition.
While naming parties that have formed the MDA government, Conrad, however, failed to mention BJP's name following which BJP minister A.L. Hek stood up and told the House that the MDA government is also supported by the BJP. His partyman Sanbor Shullai demanded justification for the Congress allegation that BJP is "anti-people".
