Guwahati, Sept. 8 -- Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma on Monday accepted the resignation of Deputy Speaker Timothy D. Shira, setting the stage for the election of a new deputy presiding officer on the final day of the ongoing autumn session.

"I have received the letter of resignation from Deputy Speaker Timothy D. Shira and have accepted it. I immediately called for an emergent meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) to review the session calendar and schedule the election of the new deputy Speaker. The BAC has decided the election will take place on September 12, the concluding day of the session," Sangma told reporters.

The Speaker added that Shira's decision was reportedly guided by directions from the...