Slip in KHADC script embarrass MDCs

***The newly elected KHADC MDCs along with the East Khasi hills deputy commissioner Sanjay Goyal pose for a group photograph after the oath taking ceremony on Tuesday***

SHILLONG, MAR 4: In a major faux pas that was an embarrassing moment for the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), most of the newly elected MDCs took oath as “nominated” and not “elected” members forcing the East Khasi hills deputy commissioner Sanjay Goyal to conduct the swearing in ceremony twice on Tuesday.

Apparently the error was in the oath taking script provided to all the MDCs of KHADC before the oath taking ceremony of the newly elected members.

Goyal who administered the oath of office to the members had to repeat the swearing in ceremony.

Ironically, even Meghalaya district council affairs minister HDR Lyngdoh- who was re-elected from Nongspung – Sohiong constituency- outgoing KHADC Congress CEM Pynsngainlang Syiem and most who were re-elected from failed to realize the error in the oath taking script and declared themselves as “nominated members”.

However, only three MDCs – Pyniaid Sing Syiem from Sohryngkham, Process T Sawkmie from Mawlai and PK Pangniang from Rymbrai saw the mistake in the script and took oath as elected representatives.

All Regional Parties Alliance (ARPA) chairman and HSPDP MDC Ardent Basaiawmoit- who is the ARPA candidate for the CEM post- shaking hand with East Khasi deputy commissioner Sanjay Goyal after the oath taking ceremony

Goyal sought an apology from the members of the house and informed that there was error in typing the script of the oath from the legislative wing of the KHADC.

Goyal said, “I sincerely apologize for the small error. It’s a serious issue. We have rectified it and we want to ensure that oath is taken in the right format.”

All the newly MDCs were present except NCP legislator Sanbor Shullai, who has been re-elected as MDC from Laban – Mawprem constituency who could not attend the oath taking ceremony because of ill-health.

Later, Goyal informed that the election for the post of KHADC chairman will be held on Thursday and declared the house adjourned till March 6.

The All Regional Parties Alliance (ARPA), a coalition of three regional parties – Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), United Democratic Party (UDP) and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) have nominated MDC from Mylliem Teilinia Thangkhiew as its candidate for the coveted post.

Meanwhile, the Congress is also holding a meeting on Thursday evening to decide on the candidate for the chairman’s post.- By Our Reporter