Meghalaya: SC backs Speaker

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the interim order of the Gauhati High Court which had put on hold the decision of the Meghalaya Assembly Speaker to suspend two legislators during the controversial trust vote. The Speaker can go ahead with the disqualification process, remarked the Bench headed by CJI K G Balakrishnan when a petition against the HC order was placed before him.

The NCP-led Meghalaya Progressive Alliance MPA has challenged the March 20 order of the HC staying Speaker B M Lanongs ruling placing two MLAs,Paul Lyngdoh of KHNAM and Limison Sangma Independent,under interim suspension. The petition in the apex court was filed by MPA spokesman Conrad Sangma.

The alliance has also challenged the Centres decision to put the state under Presidents Rule and accused the Governor of acting in a biased manner.

The Meghalaya Government,headed by Donkupar Roy was formed on March 19,2008. Two Independent MLAs had joined the coalition taking its strength to 33 in the 60-member House. On March 9,the two MLAs withdrew their support. Later,a member each of the NCP,HSPDP and KHANAM defected,reducing the Government to a minority. On the eve of the trust vote,the Speaker suspended five rebel MLAs.