Shillong, October 19: Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma on Monday said he had yet to recognise the merger of three United Democratic Party (UDP) MLAs with the National People’s Party (NPP), stating that the matter was under examination and required legal consultation.
Speaking to reporters, Sangma confirmed that he had received the merger application concerning Paul Lyngdoh, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Nujorki Sungoh, along with a resolution from the party. However, he clarified that receipt of the documents did not mean the merger had been formally recognised.
“I have received the merger application, but I have not given any response yet because I need to seek advice first,” he said.
The Speaker dismissed suggestions that the recognition process would be a mere formality following his earlier recognition of the merger involving eight UDP MLAs with the BJP.
He said he was required to examine the documents, follow the prescribed rules and procedures, and consult legal experts before taking a decision, which he expected to communicate in the coming days.
Although the three legislators constitute more than two-thirds of the UDP’s four-member legislature party, Sangma said the numerical strength alone would not conclude the examination of the application.
He also said it was necessary to establish whether all three MLAs had voluntarily consented to the merger.
Of the three legislators, Paul Lyngdoh and Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar appeared before the Speaker on Monday, while Nujorki Sungoh was away for medical treatment.
Sangma said he needed to personally ascertain the voluntary consent of each legislator, as had been done in previous cases.
Asked whether Sungoh’s consent could be verified through an online interaction, the Speaker said he would seek legal advice on whether a virtual meeting would be sufficient or whether the legislator would have to appear in person.
While acknowledging that the Supreme Court and High Courts conduct proceedings online, he said the applicability of a similar arrangement to the verification process needed further examination.
The Speaker’s decision will determine whether the proposed merger of the three UDP legislators with the NPP receives formal recognition under the applicable rules.
