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North East : Meghalaya : Political uncertainty continues |
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The ongoing political campaign against the tainted Meghalaya Parliamentary Forum (MPF) coalition led by Chief Minister Mawlong, received impetus last week with the Congress-led United Meghalaya Opposition Forum (UMOF) deciding to move a no-confidence motion against the Government. The state assembly is scheduled to meet on December 7.
The UMOF, comprising the Congress (15), Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP)-2, Garo National Council (GNC)-1 and two Independent members, has announced to stake claim to form the Government by joining hands with a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) which had earlier split.
The Mawlong government which managed to survive earlier following a split in the Nationalist Congress Party, again suffered a setback when at least seven legislators, including six senior Ministers, two each from the BJP, UDP and NCP resigned from the Ministry last week.
The BJP which triggered the political crisis by quitting the ministerial posts had earlier announced that it would support the government from outside, but the next day on November 19, it changed its decision and announced withdrawal of the support. According to latest reports, the NCP and UMOF have put on hold their decision to stake claim to power. Instead, the new political combination has decided to wait till Governor M.M. Jacob returns from Chennai on December 2.
Claiming to have the support of 37 legislators in the 60-member state Assembly, former Lok Sabha Speaker and NCP general secretary P.A. Sangma announced on November 22 that the new political combination would stake its claim of forming an alternative government in the state. An expectant media landed at Sangma’s residence on November 22. However, he said : “It does not look proper for us to stake claim when the Governor is away. We will wait till he comes back from Chennai. Hours later, the NCP and the Congress held a meeting. Reports say Sangma’s claim of having 37 legislators with him went awry as many stayed away.
Meanwhile, withstanding the heat unleashed by Sangma and the Congress-led UMOF, Chief Minister Mawlong tried to consolidate his position. He claimed to have further enlisted the support of Independent member, Augustine Marak and Garo Nationalist Congress member, Clifford R. Marak.
In the ongoing tussle between Sangma and Mawlong, the ruling Meghalaya Parliamentary Forum legislators have moved a no-confidence motion against Assembly Speaker, E.D. Marak. Mawlong has accused Marak of being partisan and has expressed apprehension that the Speaker might use his office to bring down his Government. Marak is a Sangma loyalist. His role will be crucial in recognising the split in the NCP and members overseeing a no-trust motion against the Mawlong Ministry.
At present, Mawlong has the support of 33 including 21 of the UDP, 11 NCP (the breakaway faction) and 1 PDM. The NCP led by P.A. Sangma which had the strength of 15 members, has now only 4 members with 11 revolting against the party high command and joining hands with Mawlong.
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