UDP's Lyngdoh elected speaker of Meghalaya

SHILLONG: The 10th Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on Friday elected three-time legislator Metbah Lyngdoh to the post of the speaker. Lyngdoh succeeded former speaker, the late Donkupar Roy, who passed away on July 28.


Lyngdoh, who was the consensus candidate of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), is president of the United Democratic Party (UDP).

He was elected through a secret ballot in an election conducted by deputy speaker Timothy D Shira. The 50-year-old emerged victorious by defeating Winnerson D Sangma, the candidate put up by the opposition Congress.

A former cabinet minister, Lyngdoh secured 39 votes to 19 votes polled in favour of Sangma. A total of 58 members cast their votes, with deputy speaker Shira not exercising his franchise as he was conducting the proceedings in the House.

Lyngdoh has been elected for three consecutive terms from the Mairang assembly constituency in West Khasi Hills, which he has been representing since 2008. A top businessman, Lyngdoh has held portfolios of tourism, excise and water resources from March 6, 2018. He had resigned from the ministerial post on September 10 to pave way for his election to the speaker's post. Chief minister Conrad K Sangma and leader of opposition Mukul Sangma escorted Lyngdoh to the high chair of the speaker soon after his victory was announced by Shira.