SHILLONG, JUNE 24: Nominated Congress MDC of ruling coalition People Democratic Forum (PDF) Gabriel Wahlang was on Wednesday elected as the new Deputy Chairman of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) ‘unopposed’.
With Wahlang being elevated to the deputy chairman post, , KHADC now has chairperson from the opposition alliance and the deputy from the ruling coalition PDF.
Wahlang, a former president of the Meghalaya Youth Congress Committee (MYCC), was elected after the opposition ARPA member Rona Khymdeit withdrew her nomination papers before the election to the post on Wednesday.
A teacher by profession, Wahlang who was nominated as an MDC on February 27, took over the post of a deputy chairman, which remained vacant for past seven months after ARPA MDC from Sohryngkham Pyniaid Sing Syiem resigned on October last year.
Soon after the KHADC chairperson Teilinia Thangkhiew made the announcement, Chief Executive Member (CEM) PN Syiem and EM incharge Finance Antonio N War escorted the new deputy chairman to his chair next to the chairperson.
Speaking during the felicitation, KHADC CEM PN Syiem while congratulation him on being elected as deputy chairman said, “We urged you to put the interest and welfare of the council as your top priority.”
He also urged Wahlang to function and exercise his powers as per the AD rules in the interest of the members of the council.
Opposition leader Metbah Lyngdoh participating during the felicitation said that the decision not to contest in the election was a collective one. Stating that the ARPA has elected a first chairperson as a mark to empower the women in thesociety, he, however, said that the opposition had waited for the PDF with the hope that it might consider the candidature of Khymdeit but that did not happen.
“Since we are called the constructive side (opposition), we however decided not to contest the post to ensure smooth functioning of the house and the council,” Lyngdoh added.
Emphasizing that role of the deputy chairman should be ‘neutral’, Lyngdoh said, “We urged you (Wahlang) to provide equal opportunity to all members irrespective of ruling or opposition,” adding “We hoped you will fulfill your duty as per rules in the absence of the chairperson.”
Members from the treasure as well as opposition bench paid glowing tribute to the caliber of the present chairperson saying that she was conducting the business of the house efficiently and urged Wahlang to learn and follow her footsteps.
Making a reference to Wahlang as a lecturer in the St Anthony’s College all members expressed that he as an experience teacher can handle well while taking over the proceedings of the house when it is in session.
“We are glad to have a teacher elected as deputy chairman. With your experience, it will help you to handle the members and promote the welfare of the council,” EM in charge Finance Antonio War said while urging him to take decision that will be in the interest of the indigenous community.
Meanwhile, Wahlang expressed his gratefulness to the PDF and state government for giving him the opportunity to contribute to the district council. He told the house, “I assured this house that I will try my best to be neutral in my duty.”- By Our Reporter
+ There are no comments
Add yours