SHILLONG, June 18 – The Meghalaya Assembly on Thursday admitted a privilege motion against an NCP member questioning ‘impartiality’ of the Speaker. Speaker Martin M Danggo informed the House that his secretariat received a notice for privilege motion by Congress’ Zenith M Sangma who quoted media reports on April 26 last saying NCP leader ‘Edmund K Sangma flays Danggo for supporting the ruling party’s views’.
The Speaker said the motion would be taken up for discussion on Monday. Zenith Sangma in his privilege motion said the reports quoting the NCP leader questioned the ‘impartiality’ of the Chair and therefore, breached the privilege of the House, Danggo said.
Soon after the Speaker’s announcement, the ruling members demanded a discussion of the motion as they maintained it as a ‘serious matter’ and the allegation was indeed a ‘contempt of the House’ and ‘unprecedented’. Parliamentary Affairs Minister JD Rymbai, who also seconded the motion, said it should be discussed today.
The Opposition Bench, however, pleaded with the Chair to send it to the privilege committee and give some time to the member concerned (Edmund K Sangma) to hear his version. Senior NCP leader Monindra Rava said according to the rule the person concerned against whom the allegation was made was not present in the House so the matter could not be taken up.