Meghalaya Speaker Abu Taher Mondal today survived a voice vote in the Assembly as Opposition legislators moved a no-confidence motion against him for allotting less time for the budget session.
Ronnie V Lyngdoh, who chaired the session in absence of the Speaker, decided to put the motion to test by a voice vote after the movers of the resolution and National Peoples Party legislator James K Sangma took time to initiate discussion on the alleged manipulation by the Speaker.
Sangma alleged "unfair" practices and "manipulation" when the Speaker nominated a new chairman in place of former speaker Martin Danggo yesterday.
During the budget session, Deputy Speaker Sanbor Shullai quit and Assembly chairman Martin Danggo informed the Speaker that he might not attend the session.
Demanding the chair to clarify as to how a Speaker, who faced a no-confidence motion against him nominated a panel of chairmen, James said "How could an accused chose to be a judge?"
Dismissing the argument, the chairman sought the co-movers of the motion Witting Mawsor, John Leslee K Sangma and Jemino Mawthoh, to initiate the discussion.
Later Ronnie put the motion to voice vote.
Earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition Donkupar Roy demanded the no-confidence motion be taken up immediately after Question Hour, which was rejected by Speaker A T Mondal.
