SHILLONG, OCT 13: Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Thomas Sangma on Tuesday said that the proposed merger of eight former United Democratic Party (UDP) legislators with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) remains under examination, pending legal and the completion of procedural formalities.
“I am examining the matter and awaiting legal opinions from various sources. Therefore, I cannot state that they are BJP legislators while it is still under consideration,” Sangma told reporters after the eight legislators met him.
The Speaker also 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 legislators were given 10 days to rectify and resubmit it. The stipulated period is due to expire on Wednesday,” he said.
Sangma said 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.
Eight of the 12 UDP legislators, who joined the BJP on September 23 in Delhi are Lahkmen Rymbui, Kyrmen Shylla, Pius Marwein, Ollan Singh Suiñ, Balajied Kupar Synrem, Mayralborn Syiem, Shri Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah, and Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah.
On September 25, eight legislators submitted their merger letter to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Secretariat to formally notify the House of their transition to the BJP.
The Speaker also distinguished between the recognition of a political party’s merger and the examination of a party split, stating that the latter was under consideration by his office.
“I am taking my time and examining it so that I can make a decision with a clear mind,” he said, stating that the process was not being deliberately delayed.
Sangma 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 Meghalaya High Court.
The Speaker maintained that his immediate priority was to decide on the UDP’s disqualification petition before proceeding further with the matter.
The BJP is now the second largest constituent after the National People’s Party in the Conrad Sangma-led ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, after its strength shot up to ten from two in the 60-member assembly with the joining of the eight UDP legislators.
The post Former UDP legislators yet to be recognised as BJP MLAs: Speaker first appeared on Nagaland Post.