A statement of former chief minister Dr. Mukul Sangma that Chief Minister Conrad Sangma is a close associate of an alleged drug kingpin from Mizoram, has been expunged or removed from the records of assembly by the Speaker.
The expunge order came after Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong requested for it and called the TMC leader’s statement as a ‘violation of Assembly rules’.
The Speaker cited Rule 279 A, which provides that no allegation of a defamatory or incriminatory nature shall be made by a Member against any person unless the Member has given previous intimation to the Speaker and also to the Minister concerned so that the Minister may be able to make an investigation into the matter for the purpose of a reply.
The Speaker stated that the House has been known to be a disciplined house across the entire country so they should not engage in this house as calling names and making allegations without substantiated evidence.
Quoting Rule 304, Speaker said, “I expunged the speech made by Dr Mukul Sangma as it is violates Rule 279 A.”
The TMC leader made the comment during a discussion on a motion in the House yesterday.
Defending his submission, he said that the deputy chief minister has misinterpreted its basic intent. “The person concerned whose name was reflected in the national media was an alleged accused and not convicted. I have not made an allegation of any substantive crime. I made my submission saying that we have got to be careful, we have got to cautious as to whom we associate with while we occupy an office of position, an office which is constitutionally empowered,” Mukul Sangma said.
“I have also made a submission suggesting the CM to dissociate himself from persons whose antecedents are not known. It is up to CM to put them under the scanner – that is what I have said. Now why is the government of the day so desperate and sweating it out to defend it?” Mukul asked.
He asserted that the photograph is an official one and can be seen in the social media page of the organiser of the programme in which he had been seen and the sitting arrangement for him in the front was made officially.
The TMC leader asserted that he had raised the issue as the “unprecedented availability of drugs” in the state was a matter of concern for him. He also claimed that everybody in the House knew that the person frequent the secretariat and the chief minister’s residence.
“The person is associated with the CM and it is my duty to alert my CM because he holds responsibility,” the TMC leader said adding that he has not accused Conrad Sangma and that his statement does not require to be expunged.
He also assured that he will follow proper procedure to ensure a decision is taken on the matter.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, in his turn expressed concern that his name was dragged into unnecessary argument and asked the TMC leader to bring out the facts of the case.
“Our point is if you are going to connect two dots wherever you wish and suits you and draw a picture of that and then bring it in the House to misguide everybody. That is what we are trying to say,” he added.
“Does he (Mukul Sangma) even know that what this case is all about? Does he even know that the case is already over? Does he even know that the court had given a complete judgment of this case and says the concerned persons are free … Let him do a research on this and let him find out,” Conrad added.
