Ardent says he will not to be ‘slave CEM’

SHILLONG, SEPT 19: Invoking the famous quote of the Khasi freedom fighter legendary U Tirot Sing Syiem, Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) chief executive member Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said  “I cannot and will never accept to function as a ‘slave CEM’” during the public meeting even as he informed the gathering that he will continue as the CEM.

Addressing a public meeting attended by thousands of people including local traders at Students’ Field in Jaiaw on Friday. Basaiawmoit said he would continue as CEM but is not willing to succumb to the terms and conditions put forth by the United Democratic Party (UDP).

Basaiawmoit told the gathering, “I don’t want to disappoint the people and decided to continue to function as the CEM of the KHADC but I am not willing to accept any conditions,” Basaiawmoit said.

The UDP had dropped its demand to oust Basaiawmoit as KHADC CEM by asking him to improve his conduct as the leader of the coalition All Regional Parties Alliance (ARPA).  ARPA is a coalition of three regional parties – HSPDP (7), UDP (6) and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) (4).

The UD,who had demanded Basaiawmoit replacement, had recently climb-down by saying that it wanted him to behave like a leader of the ARPA and be transparent in his way of functioning and to respect his fellow colleagues in the executive committee.

Basaiawmoit, however, told the public gathering, “It is okay if I am to continue as the CEM for some more time but I am committed to function the way I should to fulfill my services in the interest of the indigenous people and the land.”

Saying this, the six-month-old CEM also said, “I will also try to improve the working environment and relationship in the council as long as I am the CEM.”

Stating that there were misunderstandings on his sudden popularity, Basaiawmoit said, “But in the district council there is only one CEM, he leads the team in the executive committee and he is govern by AD rules. We cannot have three CEMs from all coalition partners.”

Earlier, Basaiawmoit reiterated that he doesn’t want to be the reason behind the fall of the ARPA and it is better for him to step down from the chair.

“I clearly know that even if I continue in the post as the CEM, in no time I have to quit the post as the disgruntle group will surely move a no confident motion during the upcoming session of the council,” Basaiawmoit  said adding “This will bring nothing but shame to my prestige and dignity.”

Basaiawmoit, nonetheless  said, “I respect the decision of the UDP for withdrawing its demand and reiterated its commitment to support the ARPA till the end of its term. However, they did it by putting pre condition which I cannot accept.”

The public meeting which was also attended by HSPDP supremo Hoping Stone Lyngdoh, the Council’s chairperson Teilinia Thangkhiew and her deputy Pyniaid Sing Syiem requested Basaiawmoit not to step down and expressed their support to him.

Refuting the allegations leveled against him, Basaiawmoit informed that within five months of the functioning of the EC, he had convened around five EC meetings which did not happen in the past.

In one of these meetings I had also clarified to the members that I don’t have any such intentions to undermine the coalition partners which the disgruntle party had agreed to withdraw their letter, Basaiawmoit said.

Referring to last MP elections where BJP emerged as the single largest party, Basaiawmoit also urged the people to give their single mandate to only one regional party either the HSPDP, UDP or KHNAM if they want to have a strong EC in KHADC and government at the state level.

“In this way we can have a strong government and we can work freely in the interest of the people,” Basaiawmoit opined. He also said the response of the people to attend the public meeting is also to revive back the unity of the people of the region.- By Our Reporter