Limison Sangma elected as Deputy Speaker of M’laya assembly

Limison D. Sangma of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) was elected unopposed as Deputy Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on Friday. None of the opposition parties — Trinamool Congress and Voice of the People Party – decided not to field any candidate against Limison.
Interestingly, none of the four VPP legislators- Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, Adelbert Nongrum, Heavingstone Kharpran and Brightstarwell Marbaniang – skipped the felicitation ceremony of the newly elected Deputy Speaker inside the House.
“Since only one nomination paper was filed and found valid, I hereby declare Timothy D Shira elected as deputy speaker,” Speaker Thomas Ampang Sangma announced.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Leader of Opposition, Dr Mukul Sangma accompanied Limison to his chair.
Limison, a three-time member of the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly, succeeded Timothy Dalbot Shira, also from the NPP, who quit the post of Deputy Speaker on September 8 following the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma’s directive.
Members from both benches of the House felicitated the newly elected Deputy Speaker. Expressing his gratitude, the newly members from both the treasury and opposition bench for their confidence in him. “I believe the opposition did not put up a candidate because they trust me. I am very grateful to my party colleagues as well as the opposition for unanimously electing me to this post,” Limison said.
Underscoring the importance of impartiality in his new role, Limison pledged to conduct Assembly proceedings with fairness. “Being elected to this post, I will have to always remain neutral. Whether members are from the ruling party or the opposition, I must do justice to both sides and ensure fairness in the House,” the Deputy Speaker said.
Congratulating Limison on being elected unopposed as Deputy Speaker, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma described Limison as being “humble” and “gentle”. “No matter how much one would raise his voice and shout Limison would always smile and that is one quality required when one sits in the Chair,” Conrad said.
Expressing confidence that the new Deputy Speaker would help maintain the Assembly’s legacy of high decorum and ensure continuity in its proceedings, the Leader of Opposition Dr. Mukul Sangma praised the Limison’s honesty, humility, and generosity, qualities that have earned him respect in the Assembly. “He (Limison) is known for honesty, humility and generosity. He is willing to pave way for others. When he was minister, on my request (chief minister) he agreed to vacate his cabinet seat to induct someone else. It is very difficult to find someone among our political class because sometimes even though the member himself may be willing but we are always under pressure by our own electorate,” Mukul said.