MPA government survives trust vote in Meghalaya

The Donkupar Roy-led Meghalaya Progressive Alliance government on Tuesday survived a trust vote with Speaker B M Lanong voting in its favour in the Meghalaya assembly. The Speaker cast his vote when there was a tie in the 60-member House.

Four of the five legislators, who were suspended by the Speaker and barred from attending the house, were present and cast their votes. The Speaker announced that their votes were invalid as they had been suspended. Immediately after Lanong announced the result of the confidence vote, the opposition Congress members created a din shouting that he was 'biased' and had 'violated' the Constitution.

The MPA plunged into crisis after two Independent candidates, Limison Sangma and Ismail R Marak, withdrew support to the government on March 9. The crisis was heightened when on March 11 the lone Member of Legisltive Assembly from Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement Paul Lyngdoh, who is also the Urban Affairs Minister, pulled out from the MPA.

On March 12, Health Minister and HSPDP MLA, Advisor Pariong, resigned and went 'missing'. On the same day, the chief minister announced that he would take a vote of confidence in the assembly on March 17.

Just a day later, Deputy Speaker and Nationalist Congress Party Member of Legislative Assembly Sanbor Shullai also went 'missing'. On Monday night, the Speaker had suspended the five legislators and barred them from attending the assembly.