The opposition Congress on Thursday filed a fresh petition before Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma, seeking the disqualification of four of its legislators who recently defected to the ruling National People’s Party (NPP). The move comes amid ongoing political shifts in the state, highlighting tensions over party defections and constitutional provisions.
The petition, submitted by Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) secretary Manuel Badwar to Assembly commissioner and secretary Andrew Simons, argued that the defections did not meet the two-thirds majority clause required under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. It was filed under Rule 6 of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 1988. The MLAs involved—Ronnie V. Lyngdoh (Mylliem), Celestine Lyngdoh (Umsning), Charles Marngar (Mawhati), and Gabriel Wahlang (Nongstoin)—joined the NPP between July and August 2024. The Speaker later recognised their merger with the ruling party, reducing Congress’ strength in the 60-member House from five to zero. Earlier, Saleng A. Sangma had resigned as Gambegre MLA before being elected as Tura MP.
Badwar maintained that the phased exits cannot be treated as a valid merger under the law and described the move as necessary to safeguard constitutional principles rather than political vengeance. “Democracy is at risk if legislators treat parties and the democratic process casually,” he said.