TMC stakes claim for LO post in Assembly, Speaker to take a call very soon

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 28, 2024

The opposition All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) on Wednesday stake claim for the post of Leader of Opposition (LO) with the support of the lone Congress legislator Ronnie V Lyngdoh.

Speaking to media persons, Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma said, “He (Mukul Sangma) in his personal capacity (did not stake claim). It is not like that. TMC has stake claim for the post of Leader of Opposition with the support from lone Congress MLA Ronnie V Lyngdoh.”

“Yes, I have received their (TMC) letter of submission staking claim to get the position of LO but I am still examining it. I have received it and I think I will be making a decision very soon,” he said.

Asked, the Speaker said, “They now have a total of 6 numbers, which is exactly 10% of the total strength of the House. They have fulfilled that criteria but there other things it is not only the requirement so I am reserving my decision, I will take a call on that very soon.”

On the post of Opposition chief whip, Sangma said, “As per the claim of the TMC, as they have the support of lone Congress MLA, they have requested that the post of LO be given to TMC and the Opposition Chief Whip be given to Ronnie V Lyngdoh.”

Meanwhile, Congress legislature party (CLP) leader and Mylliem legislator Ronnie V Lyngdoh said that the post of a Leader of Opposition is an important post and accordingly the TMC and the Congress decided to ensure that the post should not be left vacant.

“After we have discussed then Dr Mukul Sangma and from my side the CLP decided to come together and ensure that the post of LO should not be left vacant and being the senior most and having the most senior number from the opposition…So I hope the speaker will agree to our proposal,” he said.

Asked, Lyngdoh said that there is an understanding between the two parties. “Since we have come together, they will take the post of LO and Congress will take the post of Opposition Chief Whip.

We have written to the speaker and now it is up to the prerogative of the speaker to accept our proposal.”

“In this case we have formed an alliance as such, we felt there was a need that the post of LO should not be left vacant. As I said it is not only in the House, but then we have certain committees where the LO is part of those committees for example the SSC, which is very important and we felt the need to have representation from the opposition.”