Meghalaya Congress seeks disqualification of 4 MLAs who joined NPP

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 28, 2025

Meghalaya Congress on Thursday filed a fresh petition before Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma, seeking the disqualification of four MLAs who defected to the ruling NPP, arguing that their move violated the anti-defection law as it did not meet the two-thirds majority requirement.

The petition, submitted by Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) Secretary Manuel Badwar to Assembly Commissioner and Secretary Andrew Simons, was filed under Rule 6 of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 1988, read with para 2(1)(a) of the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution of India.

The four MLAs — Ronnie V Lyngdoh (Mylliem), Celestine Lyngdoh (Umsning), Charles Marngar (Mawhati) and Gabriel Wahlang (Nongstoin) — were earlier recognised by the Speaker as having merged with the NPP.

The Congress, however, maintains that their exits were staggered: two defected first, another followed after 48 hours, and the fourth was still in the process of leaving — which, Badwar argued, cannot qualify as a two-thirds merger.

Once a five-member bloc in the 60-seat Assembly, the Congress has now been reduced to zero after these defections and the resignation of Saleng A Sangma, who later won the Tura Lok Sabha seat.

Speaking to reporters, Badwar said the petition was filed “not out of vengeance but to uphold the law of the land,” stressing that “democracy is at risk if MLAs take parties and the Constitution for granted.” He also highlighted that the party continues to grow stronger at both the regional and national levels, with politicians beginning to reach out to the Congress ahead of upcoming elections.

While acknowledging that the Speaker will first examine the petition and give his ruling, Badwar added that the party may approach the courts if not satisfied.