Shillong, March 10: Settling all differences within the ruling coalition, the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) today decided to nominate Martin M. Danggo as its candidate for the post of Speaker, election to which will be held on Wednesday.
At a meeting attended by the coalition partners of the MDA today, the leaders discussed the issue and resolved to settle the differences that had arisen after the Congress announced Danggo’s name as the MDA candidate for the post.
It was also decided at the meeting that the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) chief Hopingstone Lyngdoh would be appointed the pro-tem Speaker.
Lyngdoh will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the elected members of the seventh Assembly tomorrow.
The dispute over the Speaker’s post had threatened to split the government for the second time after the MDA government was sworn in with Congress Legislature Party leader D.D. Lapang as chief minister last week. The United Democratic Party (UDP), the second biggest partner in the MDA, had objected to Danggo’s nomination alleging that the decision had not been “unanimous”.
The UDP contended that the Congress had not discussed the issue with the other partners in the coalition. Chief minister Lapang today told newspersons that all differences had been resolved and termed the controversy as “a misunderstanding”.
He added that the coalition partners were happy with the Congress’ announcement.
Deputy chief minister Donkupar Roy, when contacted, said today’s meeting had strengthened that the relationship between the MDA partners. “We have no differences any more. We are committed to remaining in power for the full term,” he said. Roy said the MDA had formed a co-ordination committee with representatives from all the parties in the coalition. The committee will look into the functioning of the government, Roy said.
It is also expected to mediate if any differences arise within the MDA. The committee will also monitor the progress of the MDA as well as recommend necessary adjustments as and when the need arises.