SHILLONG, FEB 27: The political shenanigans in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) got louder on the last day of its budget session on Friday with the Congress led People’s Democratic Forum (PDF) demanding that ARPA dissolves it Executive Committee as it has been reduced to a minority with the former Youth Congress president Gabriel Wahlang taking oath of office as KHADC nominated member.
With Wahlang’s nomination as an MDC, the PDF number has swelled to 15 MDCs in a thirty-member house. Minus the KHADC chairperson Teilinia Thangkhiew, the ruling regional parties conglomerate ARPA has been reduced to 14 MDCs.
Congress leader and PDF chairman Pynshngain N Syiem told reporters after the budget session that ARPA must immediately dissolve its executive committee as it no longer has the majority.
Stating that ARPA has been reduced to a minority, Syiem said, “The ARPA must dissolve its executive committee.” He also felt that with the latest political development, the ARPA will not be able to pass the council’s budget or any bills in the next session of the KHADC.
Syiem also appreciated the government’s decision for approving the nominated of Wahlang as MDC. He said, “The decision of the government came after ARPA failed to recommend the name of the nominated MDC for nearly one year and the rule has specifically mention the need to appoint a nominated MDC in order to have a full fledged 30 member House.”
ARPA strength was reduced after two of its executive members (EMs)- include Independent MDC Grace Mary Kharpuri and KHNAM MDC PT Sawkmie- resigned from the party. Both joined the PDF.
PDF, a newly formed alliance in the KHADC presently has the support of 10 Congress MDCs, 3 Independent MDCs and one NCP.
Interestingly, Sawkmie has been made the PDF parliamentary party leader.
A jubilant Syiem said the PDF will wait for the state government ARPA has been reduced to a minority. Earlier, the PDF had threatened to move the Governor for imposition of Administrator Rule in the KHADC but has softened its stand now.
Apparently with Wahlang as its new member, the PDF is looking to form the next KHADC executive committee.
PDF leaders are saying that the parliamentary party leader post will be rotated between Syiem and Sawkmie.
Meanwhile, District Council Affairs minister HDR Lyngdoh said the government is yet to receive any communication from both the ruling and opposition on the present development in KHADC. “Therefore, the government cannot step in to intervene,” he said.- By Our Reporter
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