Shillong, Oct 13: The eight former UDP legislators who claimed to have merged with the BJP will have to wait – Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma on Tuesday said their status as BJP MLAs is not recognised yet.
Addressing media after meeting the eight, Lahkmen Rymbui, Pius Marwein, Kyrmen Shylla, Mayralborn Syiem, Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah, Ollan Singh Suin, Balajied Kupar Synrem and Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah – the Speaker said the merger letter is still under examination.
“The Speaker’s office is still examining it, and I am awaiting legal opinions from different sources. Therefore, I will not say that they are BJP MLAs,” Sangma clarified.
The merger letter was submitted on September 25 to Dr. Andrew Simons, Adviser (Legislation), as the Speaker was on a post-conference study tour to Malta. The eight were accompanied by BJP state chief Rikman G. Momin and BJP MLA Sanbor Shullai.
Meanwhile, the Speaker revealed that UDP has moved a disqualification petition against the eight. The petition had omissions and deficiencies, and UDP and its remaining four MLAs have been given 10 days to rectify it. The deadline ends Wednesday.
Sangma said the disqualification petition will be taken up on priority as per constitutional provisions and rules. He added that he is examining precedents, including the TMC-Congress political developments and his own earlier ruling which is sub-judice in the High Court.
“I am taking my time so I can make a decision with a clear mind. It is not being deliberately delayed,” he said, stressing that due diligence cannot be done arbitrarily and that his office is examining whether it is a merger or a split.
