The Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Thomas A. Sangma has said that the proposed merger of eight former United Democratic Party (UDP) MLAs with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) remains under examination, with a decision pending the receipt of legal opinions and the completion of necessary procedural requirements.
The clarification follows the submission of a merger letter by the eight legislators to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on September 25, informing the House of their decision to join the BJP.
Speaking to media persons yesterday after meeting the eight legislators, Sangma clarified that his office had not formally recognised them as BJP MLAs, as the matter remained under consideration.
The Speaker described the meeting as cordial and stated that he had apprised the legislators of the status of the proceedings and the need for further examination before a decision could be taken.
Sangma further informed that the UDP had submitted a petition seeking the disqualification of the eight legislators. However, certain omissions and deficiencies had been identified in the petition, following which the UDP leadership and the remaining four MLAs were given ten days to rectify and resubmit it. The stipulated period was due to expire on Wednesday, October 14.
He stated that deciding the disqualification petition would be his immediate priority, adding that the matter would be examined in accordance with the applicable rules and constitutional provisions.
The Speaker also confirmed that he was examining relevant precedents, including earlier political developments involving the Trinamool Congress and Congress, as well as his previous ruling in a similar matter, which remains under scrutiny before the Hon’ble High Court.
Emphasising the need for due diligence, Sangma said the Speaker’s Office could not decide such matters arbitrarily and that sufficient time was required to examine the legal and procedural aspects.
Sangma also distinguished between the recognition of a political party merger and the examination of a party split, stating that the latter was under consideration by his office.
The Speaker reiterated that he would proceed after examining the relevant submissions and receiving the necessary legal opinions.
He maintained that his immediate priority was to decide on the UDP’s disqualification petition before proceeding further with the matter.
