SHILLONG, JULY 5: Amidst protest and walkout, , the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) passed the amendment Bill of the KHADC Autonomous District (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 2013 seeking delimitation of MDC constituencies for the 2014 council election.
However the passing of the bill were marked with protests as Laitkhroh MDC Carmel Sohtun whose constituency has been clubbed with Langkyrdem and the new delimited constituency it will be known as Langkyrdem-Laitkroh. He had demanded an amendment to Laitkroh-Langkyrdem which never came through.
Frustrated Sohtun was seen crumpling copy of the bills in the house in-front of all the members saying that the delimitation move was “totally bias” and “unacceptable.”
KHNAM Jaiaw MDC Adelbert Nongrum, who is also opposed to the delimitation, staged a walk-out in protest after the KHADC executive committee rejected his amendment motion move.
Defending the delimitation bill KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pynshngainlang N Syiem told the council, “The whole intention of the delimitation is to delete Laitkroh constituency” while clarifying that the exercise of doing away with the constituency is for the interest of the people and the area.
On the proposed suggestion of renaming constituency with Laitkroh-Langkyrdem, Syiem said, “The decision on the name of the new constituency cannot be change.”
Informing that proposed bill is yet to get the assent from the Governor, Syiem however said, “We have recently met the outgoing governo, RS Mooshahary on the matter. But from his part since he is retiring as the governor, he has advice the EC to take up the matter with the new governor of the state.”
Syiem further stated, “As per rule, we have decided to go ahead with passing of the bill and then would take up the matter with the new governor for his approval.”
According to him, once the bill gets the approval, it will be effectively implemented in the upcoming MDC elections slated next year.
Mawkyrwat MDC EK Raswai while moving amendment motion earlier had suggested the executive committee to examine the possibility of conducting the MDC elections as per the MLA delimitation of constituency pattern which was issued by the Election Commission of India.
Raswai argued this would avoid further confusion since there are 29 MLA constituencies under the KHADC jurisdiction.
Referring to the recent demand to include the eight polling stations within Mawkyrwat constituency, South West Khasi hills district while conducting the MDC elections, Raswai said these polling stations from South West Khasi hills has been proposed by the KHADC to include in the constituencies of other districts such as East Khasi hills district which he said has created a lot of confusion among the people.
Syiem however said as the KHADC is an autonomous body, its delimitation will not have any ramification on the areas which are clubbed with neighbouring districts. – By Our Reporter
