Rymbai elected unopposed as new JHADC chief

**New JHADC chief Madonbai Rymbai met deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong on Thursday**

SHILLONG, JUNE 21: National People’s Party (NPP) MDC from Sohmynting – Khliehtyrshi Madonbai Rymbai was elected unopposed as the new chief executive member of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) during a special session held on Thursday.

This was after the Moonlight Pariat-led executive committee was reduced to minority when three members from his own party the United Democratic Party (UDP), eight Congress, and one Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) decided to withdrew support.

Soon after his being elected to the top post for the second time, Rymbai also a made a quick courtesy visit to the state capital and met the deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong at the main secretariat.

Speaking to reporters, the newly elected JHADC chief informed about the formation of the Jaintia Democratic Alliance (JDA) led by the National People’s Party (NPP) with the support of 23 members.

The JDA comprises of eleven NPP MDCs, eight Congress, three UDP and 1 BJP. “I expressed my thanks to all the members who have supported me to be leader in the Council,” he said.

The new political development in the JHADC also reflected the visible split in the UDP, which is the main ally of the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government.

Only seven out of ten UDP MDCs, who technically are in the opposition side, are yet to extend their support to the newly formed JDA-led executive committee.

“I also appealed to them (7 UDP MDCs) to come forward and lend their support to the EC so that we could work together for the interest and welfare of the people of the region,” Rymbai said.

Asked, the chief executive member said that he would immediate submit the list of executive members on Tuesday next as tomorrow being a state holiday.

Meanwhile spelling out his priorities, Rymbai said that the new executive committee would ensure that the construction of the much-awaited Iawmusiang market complex is completed at the earliest.

According to him, the Council would also look at increasing the revenue collection by promoting the Markein Protected Forest at Jarain village under Amlarem Civil Sub-division as a tourist destination.

It may be mentioned here Rymbai was dropped from the JHADC chief post in 2014 following complaints of misappropriation of public money revealed by an RTI report.

By Our Reporter