Merger of 12 Cong MLAs with AITC valid: Meghalaya Speaker

Guwahati, Dec 23: Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh today stated that the merger of the 12 Indian National Congress MLAs with the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), is valid as provided under Paragraph IV of the Tenth schedule to the Constitution.
The 12 legislators — Dr Mukul Sangma, Marthon Sangma, Jimmy Sangma, Lazarus Sangma, Miani Shira, H M Shangpliang, George Lyngdoh, Winnerson Sangma, Dikkanchi Shira, Zenith Sangma, Charles Pyngrope and Shitlang Pale — had handed over the letter of merger to the speaker on November 24.
Congress had, however, challenged the merger and sought disqualification of the MLAs. Pradesh Congress chief and leislator Ampareen Lyngdoh had, on November 29, filed a petition before the Speaker seeking disqualification of the 12 defected legislators. 
The speaker, thereafter, issued notices to the MLAs asking them to submit their response to the plea. However, upon receiving the response from the MLAs, the Speaker has found as valid their merger with the AITC. 
“I am satisfied that the merger of the 12 members of INC is valid and does not attract disqualification. I do not find any merit in the submissions made in the petitions filed by Ampareen Lyngdoh, and therefore, the same is hereby dismissed,” speaker Metbah Lyngdoh said in an order issued on December 23.