SHILLONG: Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma has initiated a legal review into the suspension of Voice of the People Party (VPP) legislator Adelbert Nongrum, after the latter raised concerns over the procedural validity of the order that barred him from the party for three years.
Nongrum, who represents the Jaiaw constituency, has formally requested the Speaker not to accept the suspension order, citing a technical discrepancy—he claims the order failed to identify him as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, and was addressed merely as “Adelbert Nongrum, Jaiaw Shillong.”
In his submission, Nongrum argued that such ambiguity could lead to misidentification, as others with the same name could also reside in Jaiaw. Emphasising his status, he asserted that he remains a constitutionally elected representative of the people and that the suspension order, lacking official designation, may not hold legal ground.
“I am still examining it. I have referred to the legal department and also to the advocate general of our state,” Speaker Sangma told reporters on Wednesday, confirming that the matter is now under legal scrutiny.
Asked about the potential implications, Sangma acknowledged the possibility that Nongrum’s argument may be legally tenable. “I don’t know but some may agree with Adelbert Nongrum also because his suspension order without mentioning him as MLA or addressing him as MLA may not carry in the court of law. Technically, it seems very vague,” the Speaker observed, hinting at the procedural flaw.
However, Sangma was cautious not to weigh in on the VPP’s internal decision-making. “That is for the political party concerned. I cannot comment on that and I will not say they should suspend or they should not suspend. It will not be appropriate for me to comment on that,” he clarified.
Nongrum was suspended in March by the VPP for alleged anti-party activities, a move that sparked sharp reactions from his supporters and triggered a political stir within the fledgling regional party. With the Speaker’s referral of the issue to legal experts, the outcome could set a precedent for how internal party disciplinary actions intersect with constitutional mandates in Meghalaya’s legislative affairs.
