NEW DELHI, May 11 – The last remaining hurdle in formation of a Congress-led government in Meghlaya has also been removed, when the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by Speaker Bindo M Lanong, seeking transfer of the disqualification of MLAs case to the Apex Court. Even as the legal battle was going on in Delhi and Shillong, political developments in the State overtook other aspects.
A Congress-led government headed by DD Lapang is now expected to be sworn in later this week, immediately after the Presidential notification revoking the Central Rule is issued, sources said.
In a significant development, Congress party has more or less decided to form the government on its own strength and may later induct its alliance partners. The Congress party including an independent has 27 MLAs. Once the disqualification of the four MLAs is revoked then its strength is set to go up to 33 in a House of 60, sources added.
In midst of bargaining with NCP, which has 14 MLAs, a Congress party insider said that they have the option of joining hands with UDP, which has sent feelers to extend unconditional support to the Congress.
The Congress party’s negotiation with NCP is deadlocked over sharing of the ministerial berth. The NCP is demanding four berths including the post of deputy chief minister for Sangma’s son Conrad.
Strengthened by the turn around of events, Lapang has offered only two. Both Sangma and Lapang are currently camping in the capital.
Party sources clarified that it would be a Congress-led government that would be sworn in, though some of the ministerial berths would be kept ‘vacant’ for the allies.
Meanwhile, a three-member Bench of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice of India, KG Balakrishnan dismissed the transfer petition describing it as ‘not maintainable’.
Azim H Laskar, advocate for the legislators told newsmen that the Court has said that transfer petition is not maintainable.
Significantly, the Supreme Court had during an earlier hearing remarked that the Speaker can take the final decision, but left the scope of judicial review open. The Speaker’s contention was that his order under the 10th schedule cannot be questioned by any court.
The apex court’s order now leaves the Speaker with the option of moving the disqualification case before the Shillong bench of the Gauhati High Court.
The legislators were disqualified from the Assembly for ‘violating’ the 10th Schedule of the Constitution after they switched their loyalty from the ruling-MPA to Congress-led MUA.
The four disqualified legislators included Paul Lyngdoh (KHNAM), Sanbor Shullai (NCP), Limison D Sangma and Ismail R Marak.
A similar SLP was also pending before the Gauhati High Court but Lanong moved the apex court pleading that only the Supreme Court should take up the case over disqualification of the four legislators, even as the hearing was going on in the Shillong Bench.
Source: http://www.assamtribune.com
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A Congress-led government headed by DD Lapang is now expected to be sworn in later this week, immediately after the Presidential notification revoking the Central Rule is issued, sources said.
In a significant development, Congress party has more or less decided to form the government on its own strength and may later induct its alliance partners. The Congress party including an independent has 27 MLAs. Once the disqualification of the four MLAs is revoked then its strength is set to go up to 33 in a House of 60, sources added.
In midst of bargaining with NCP, which has 14 MLAs, a Congress party insider said that they have the option of joining hands with UDP, which has sent feelers to extend unconditional support to the Congress.
The Congress party’s negotiation with NCP is deadlocked over sharing of the ministerial berth. The NCP is demanding four berths including the post of deputy chief minister for Sangma’s son Conrad.
Strengthened by the turn around of events, Lapang has offered only two. Both Sangma and Lapang are currently camping in the capital.
Party sources clarified that it would be a Congress-led government that would be sworn in, though some of the ministerial berths would be kept ‘vacant’ for the allies.
Meanwhile, a three-member Bench of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice of India, KG Balakrishnan dismissed the transfer petition describing it as ‘not maintainable’.
Azim H Laskar, advocate for the legislators told newsmen that the Court has said that transfer petition is not maintainable.
Significantly, the Supreme Court had during an earlier hearing remarked that the Speaker can take the final decision, but left the scope of judicial review open. The Speaker’s contention was that his order under the 10th schedule cannot be questioned by any court.
The apex court’s order now leaves the Speaker with the option of moving the disqualification case before the Shillong bench of the Gauhati High Court.
The legislators were disqualified from the Assembly for ‘violating’ the 10th Schedule of the Constitution after they switched their loyalty from the ruling-MPA to Congress-led MUA.
The four disqualified legislators included Paul Lyngdoh (KHNAM), Sanbor Shullai (NCP), Limison D Sangma and Ismail R Marak.
A similar SLP was also pending before the Gauhati High Court but Lanong moved the apex court pleading that only the Supreme Court should take up the case over disqualification of the four legislators, even as the hearing was going on in the Shillong Bench.
Source: http://www.assamtribune.com
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