Tuesday, December 21 2004 16:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang today (Dec 21, 2004) ruled out his resignation in the face of a joint Opposition attack following a resolution adopted in the Assembly yesterday (Dec 20, 2004) against the Government's move to shift the legislative house to a city outskirts.

As soon as the house assembled on the last day of the winter session, BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader A L Hek demanded the Chief Minister's resignation following yesterday's development.

He was promptly supported by NCP's (Nationalist Congress Party) E K Sangma who said the Government lost 'moral authority' to reply to the members questions and therefore should resign.

Responding, Lapang said the resolution, brought by Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) leader H S Lyngdoh against shifting the Assembly to city outskirts, which was adopted in the house was not a money bill.

'If a money bill was defeated, the Government took the moral responsibility and did step down. Since it was not, the question of a Government defeat did not arise nor the resignation,' the Chief Minister said.

He further said the resolution was against a decision of the high-powered committee (HPC) headed by the Speaker.

Unsatisfied, Hek said the Government was 'shifting its responsibility' as the decision to move the Assembly was taken by the Cabinet.

E K Sangma said with the Chief Minister saying the decision taken by HPC headed by Speaker, a 'constitutional crisis' (implicating the chair) was created.