One man, one post, HDR to resign as MDC

SHILLONG, SEPT 23: In what could be described as landmark decision, the Meghalaya government decided to table the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) Amendment Bill, 2015 during current autumn assembly session to disallow legislators from holding dual elected post.

As a fallout of this decision Meghalaya district council minister HDR Lyngdoh will reportedly resign as Member of the District Council (MDC) of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Wednesday.

Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, chief minister Mukul Sangma said, “The government has decided to introduce Prevention of Disqualification (Members of the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) Amendment Bill, 2015 to replace the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya)Act, 1972  where there would be  few amendments proposed basically to prevent dual holding of posts.”

Sangma said members who are holding the post of MLA and MDC will have to resign from one of the posts which is the objective of the amendment. H said, “Therefore, it is the prerogative of the individual members who are holding dual posts to decide in relinquishing one of the post which they are currently occupied.”

The decision to introduce the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) Amendment Bill, 2015 by the Meghalaya government came after the Civil Society Women’s Organisation President Agnes Kharshiing in October last year sought disqualification of eight legislators who are elected as members of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council.

The eight legislators who are holding dual post includes District Council Affairs Minister HDR Lyngdoh, Congress legislator Pynshngaiñlang Syiem, Nationalist Congress Party legislator Sanbor Shullai,  United Democratic Party legislators Metbah Lyngdoh and Brolding Nongsiej besides two Hill State People’s Democratic Party legislators Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit and Phlastingwell Pangniang.

Meghalaya District Council Affairs minister HDR Lyngdoh informed  that he would put in his papers as KHADC MDC tomorrow. He said, “Being part of the Cabinet decision, I have decided to take the lead by resigning from the post of the MDC. I will put in my papers tomorrow.” – By Our Reporter