Shillong, Nov 20: Meghalaya Governor, Ganga Prasad has sought the opinion of the Election Commission in connection with a petition that demanded disqualification of legislators who held the post of parliamentary secretaries in the state.

The petition was submitted by Madal Sumer to the Governor on November 13 who urged him to disqualify the 17 MLAs who were earlier appointed as parliamentary secretaries.

The MLAs who had earlier held the post of parliamentary secretaries were Samuel Sangma, Limison D. Sangma, Winnerson D. Sangma, Kennedy Cornelius Khyriem, Cherak W. Momin, Brigady Marak, Sengnam Marak, Rophul S. Marak, Robinus Syngkon, Michael T. Sangma, Justine Dkhar, Ashahel D. Shira, Stephanson Mukhim, Noverfield R. Marak, and Marthon Sangma. The two ministers – Comingone Ymbon and Celestine Lyngdoh – had also held the post of parliamentary secretaries before getting inducted into the council of ministers.

The Meghalaya High Court had on November 9, declared “invalid” the Meghalaya Parliamentary Secretaries (Appointment, Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2005 that facilitated the appointment of MLAs to the post of parliamentary secretaries.

According to a statement issued here on Monday by a deputy secretary to the Governor, the representation was brought to the attention of the Governor and a decision was made by him to seek the opinion of the Election Commission of India.

“Based on the decision of the Governor, the matter was referred to the Election Commission of India, as required under the Article 192 (2) of the Constitution of India on November 16 and the matter is not pending with the office of the governor of Meghalaya as of now,” the statement said.