Cong to contest Dy Speaker election

Shillong, Apr 25: Setting the stage for showdown with the ruling Meghalaya Progressive Alliance government, the Congress today decided to contest the election for the post of Assembly Deputy Speaker.

The Congress has decided to field a new entrant, Mr Lakmen Rymbui, as its candidate even as the MPA with 32 MLAs in the 60-member House has a slender edge of only four votes over the Opposition.

''We have decided to field Rymbui as our candidate and I hope the government will withdraw its candidate as the House had unanimously elected UDP MLA Bindo M Lanong as Speaker,'' Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader D D Lapang told UNI here today.

The ruling MPA has the support of 32 legislators, comprising 15 NCP, 11 United Democratic Party, two Hill State People's Democratic Party, one each from Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement and BJP and two Independents- have fielded Sanbor Shullai of the NCP.

The Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance with its 28 members, including three Independents, had withdrew its nominee to contest the election of the Speaker of the Meghalaya Assembly.

The Congress then nominated former Tourism Minister Charles Pyngrope as its candidate.

The election for the Deputy Speaker's post is on May 12.

UNI