Nevertheless, the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance had sought the transfer of the special leave petition filed by the four legislators to the Supreme Court from the High Court. The plea was accepted but the hearing was deferred. Earlier, the High Court had issued notice to the Speaker, as to why his order disqualifying the four defectors should not be stayed. The people at large would therefore have to be patient on the final outcome of the complexities of the ongoing legal battle, as it seems that it will be time consuming.

In the meanwhile, in the political playground, a lot of energy is being exerted by the players. Claims and counter claims of having scored a majority in forming a government have been making headlines in the media. Both the Congress led MDA and NCP-UDP led MPA have been making trips to Raj Bhavan, interestingly to lift the President’s rule that had been imposed one and a half months ago, being the only concerted voice of the two warring factions, but having separate tags of having the majority in forming the government. 

The Governor however, is placed in a perplexed position, from the home ground pressures of claims to form the government and recommendation of lifting President’s rule in which New Delhi has sought for a timeout because these matters can not be taken up or decided on in the midst of the Lok Sabha elections. In the meantime, the non – governmental organisation, Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) had filed an RTI plea seeking all information on what basis the Governor had recommended President’s rule in the first place in spite of the MPA 

having won a trust vote on the floor of the House. Therefore, the public should be able see through all the communication between the Governor and New Delhi soon which is but fair enough.

In the side – wings of the political stage, two MPA members made a bolt from the blue by announcing that they had withdrawn their membership from the State Assembly, the reason being a lack of directional leadership. This had created another rumbling in the MPA camp as its majority was reduced to 26. However, the MPA got a breather when one of the legislators Nimarson Momin returned to the fold. The lone woman legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh however stuck to her guns and in a swift move joined the Congress party and discarded the UDP jersey. The Speaker, after giving her ample time to peruse over her decision, finally decided to inform the Election Commission of her resignation.

Ms. Ampareen Lyngdoh had created ripples among the voters of Laitumkhrah constituency resulting in mixed reactions, some of which were not helpful to her cause and then shoved the blame on the media on account of mis – reporting, which resulted in the hurting of the sentiments of the Shillong press. Later realising that she had crossed – swords with the media, Ms. Lyngdoh sent a letter of apology, which was accepted by the Shillong Press Club with a note of advice to refrain from vilifying the fourth pillar of democracy in the future.

As Shillong is facing electricity and rain crisis, people are looking for favourable forecasts by the weather – man. In the political atmosphere, cross currents of political predictions rule the roost. The Congress, it is said, will form the state government as a chunk of the UDP will desert the MPA minus the Nationalist Congress Party and the BJP. In such a combination, D.D. Lapang, the present Congress leader will be dropped and cropping up are names like Mukul Sangma and R.C. Laloo. In light of this, Mr. Lapang immediately made a dash to the national capital and asserted that under his leadership, a Congress leadership is feasible.        

The MPA in order to hold its herd together in the face of an internal attack on Dr. Donkupar Roy propped up Mr. J.D. Rymbai to don the leadership mantle. Mr. Rymbai had a stint as the Congress chief minister in such a political crisis in the past. There were stories of different negotiations and pacts involving different political parties to forge a stable government for the next four years. Yet, all that emerges from all this is silent reactions and denials which have created more confusion among the perplexed populace

Status Quo is therefore the order of the day as there can be no decision until and unless the Parliament election process is over. Most important are the judicial decisions which can make and unmake the formation of a new government, decisions which can put at rest the number games. Last but not least, Meghalaya is sure to face elections to elect the resigned Laitumkhrah legislator, elections to the four disqualified members of the House awaiting a judicial decision and finally a mid – term poll, to once and for all end this dramatic muddle.

Sumar Sing Sawian