03-12-2008, 06:09 AM
<b>Sangma moves SC over Governor decision </b>
Guwahati/New Delhi, March 11: The Nationalist Congress Party leader, Mr Purno A. Sangma, on Tuesday <b>moved the Supreme Court challenging Meghalaya Governor S.S. Sidhuâs decision to invite the Congress to form the government in the state</b>.
Pleading Mr Sangmaâs case before a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice, Mr K.G. Balakrishnan, senior advocate, Mr Soli Sorabjee, claimed that though the NCP-led Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) had the support of 31 MLAs in the 60-member House, <b>the Governor had invited a party with a lesser number of MLAs to form the government. The court has posted the matter for Wednesday.</b>
The Congress, with 25 MLAs, had emerged as the single largest party but six short of a majority, and was invited by the Governor to form the government. The Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) had paraded 30 MLAs twice before the Governor and also staked its claim. In the petition, Mr Sangmaâs son, Mr Conrad K. Sangma, contended that the Governor was bound to invite the post-poll alliance of NCP, BJP, UDP and KHNWM (Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement) as it had a clear majority.
"The Governor cannot exercise any discretion when members constituting the majority are physically present before him. He is bound to invite the leader of such an alliance under Article 163 of the Constitution," the petition said. The MPA said the invitation to Mr D.D. Lapang and his swearing-in as chief minister and the granting 10 daysâ time to the Congress to prove its majority were illegal. would promote horse-trading.
Speaking to reporters from Shillong, Mr Sangma, who resigned from the Lok Sabha on Monday, said: "We have filed the petition against the governorâs decision, which is undemocratic and unconstitutional." Defending his decision to call the Congress, Mr Sidhu, who is a former bureaucrat, told reporters: "The MPA is not a pre-poll alliance and under such a situation, the single largest party should be called to form the government according to convention."
He also clarified that the leader of the single largest party was given an opportunity to form the government in order to prevent the possibility of horse-trading. In Nagaland, meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland on Tuesday staked its claim to forming the government in that state. A joint statement by Nagaland Peopleâs Front president Shurhozelie, state BJP chief Ato Yepthomi and NCP state head Sulangthung Lotha said: "We will continue to play the role of a facilitator to the ongoing peace talks in finding an honourable and acceptable settlement to the Naga political problem."
The NPF-led DAN paraded 34 MLAs, including four Independents, on Sunday before governor K. Shankararaynan to stake its claim to forming the government.
Nagaland Raj Bhavan sources said the process of inviting political parties to form the government was delayed because of some formalities, including the fact that the President has to dissolve the 10th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The Election Commission too has to issue a notification constituting the new Assembly.
Guwahati/New Delhi, March 11: The Nationalist Congress Party leader, Mr Purno A. Sangma, on Tuesday <b>moved the Supreme Court challenging Meghalaya Governor S.S. Sidhuâs decision to invite the Congress to form the government in the state</b>.
Pleading Mr Sangmaâs case before a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice, Mr K.G. Balakrishnan, senior advocate, Mr Soli Sorabjee, claimed that though the NCP-led Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) had the support of 31 MLAs in the 60-member House, <b>the Governor had invited a party with a lesser number of MLAs to form the government. The court has posted the matter for Wednesday.</b>
The Congress, with 25 MLAs, had emerged as the single largest party but six short of a majority, and was invited by the Governor to form the government. The Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) had paraded 30 MLAs twice before the Governor and also staked its claim. In the petition, Mr Sangmaâs son, Mr Conrad K. Sangma, contended that the Governor was bound to invite the post-poll alliance of NCP, BJP, UDP and KHNWM (Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement) as it had a clear majority.
"The Governor cannot exercise any discretion when members constituting the majority are physically present before him. He is bound to invite the leader of such an alliance under Article 163 of the Constitution," the petition said. The MPA said the invitation to Mr D.D. Lapang and his swearing-in as chief minister and the granting 10 daysâ time to the Congress to prove its majority were illegal. would promote horse-trading.
Speaking to reporters from Shillong, Mr Sangma, who resigned from the Lok Sabha on Monday, said: "We have filed the petition against the governorâs decision, which is undemocratic and unconstitutional." Defending his decision to call the Congress, Mr Sidhu, who is a former bureaucrat, told reporters: "The MPA is not a pre-poll alliance and under such a situation, the single largest party should be called to form the government according to convention."
He also clarified that the leader of the single largest party was given an opportunity to form the government in order to prevent the possibility of horse-trading. In Nagaland, meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland on Tuesday staked its claim to forming the government in that state. A joint statement by Nagaland Peopleâs Front president Shurhozelie, state BJP chief Ato Yepthomi and NCP state head Sulangthung Lotha said: "We will continue to play the role of a facilitator to the ongoing peace talks in finding an honourable and acceptable settlement to the Naga political problem."
The NPF-led DAN paraded 34 MLAs, including four Independents, on Sunday before governor K. Shankararaynan to stake its claim to forming the government.
Nagaland Raj Bhavan sources said the process of inviting political parties to form the government was delayed because of some formalities, including the fact that the President has to dissolve the 10th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The Election Commission too has to issue a notification constituting the new Assembly.