MPA wins Meghalaya floor test

The NCP-led ruling Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) government today narrowly won the assembly floor test with 28 legislators, including Speaker’s vote, while the opposition Congress got the support of 27.

In the 60-member House, five legislators were barred from voting after the Speaker B N Lanong suspended them under Anti-defection law last night for withdrawing support to the MPA.

“The five MLAs have been suspended and barred from entering the House until further order is issued after hearing them,” Lanong said, asking MLAs as to why action should not be taken against them under Anti-Defection Law for violating the party or the coalition whips.

Meanwhile, the uncertainty which may lead to President’s Rule in the state, however, continues as the three suspended legislators have decided to move court against the Speaker’s order.

With the support of 10 United Democratic Party members, 15 Nationalist Congress Party members and two HSPDP, one BJP and two Independents, the Chief Minister Dr. Donkupar Roy had earlier expressed confidence that his government was going to win the trial of strength in the House.

The government was reduced to minority in the 60-member assembly after three of its alliance partners, one regional party KHNAM and two Independents had deserted the MPA.

The five MLAs who have been suspended are KHNAM (Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement) MLA and Urban Affairs Minister Paul Lyngdoh, two Independents Limison Sangma and Ismail R Marak, who deserted the coalition on March 09. The other two members facing Speaker’s iron hand are the health minister and HSPDP MLA Adviser Pariong, who resigned from the Cabinet on March 11, and Deputy Speaker and NCP MLA Sanbor Shullai, who disappeared a day later.

The suspension order came after Governor R S Mooshahary had issued a set of directives to the Speaker regarding conduct of the trust vote and asked him not to disturb the status quo of the members' voting rights. The Governor has also asked Speaker to video-record the proceedings of the floor test and use ballot papers in case fails to reach consensus on voice vote.

The strength of MPA is now 28 and the opposition Congress 27. Earlier, the Congress led opposition was claiming to have the required number to form the government with the support of those five suspended MLAs.