Shillong/UNI: Thomas Ampang Sangma of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) was elected unopposed as Speaker of the 11th Meghalaya Assembly on Thursday.

Protem Speaker Timothy Dalbot Shira, who presided over the proceedings on the concluding day of the special Assembly session, declared Thomas as Speaker of the State Assembly since Sangma was the lone candidate who had filed his nomination paper for the post.

Members from both the benches of the 60-member House congratulated Thomas for being elected uncontested to the coveted post of Speaker.

Congratulating Thomas, who retained his assembly seat for the second consecutive term from North Tura constituency, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma voiced confidence that he will do justice while occupying the Speaker’s chair.

Thanking the members of the House, Thomas hoped that the members will continue to maintain the tradition and standard of debate.

Thomas, a former Rajya Sabha member, defeated his nearest rival of the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Adamkid Sangma of BJP in the just concluded assembly election with a margin of 3,739 votes.

In his last term as an MLA, Sangma was the Adviser to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.

The MDA 2.0 government which was inducted on March 7, has the support of 45 MLAs, of which 26 are from the National People's Party (NPP), 11 United Democratic Party legislators, two legislators each from the Bharatiya Janata Party, People’s Democratic Front, and Hill State People’s Democratic Party, besides two Independent legislators.