Shillong, Mar 23: The United Democratic Forum (UDF) has expressed confidence that it will defeat the No-confidence motion during the special session of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Tuesday.

The NC will be moved by the United Democratic Aliance (UDA) against the Executive Committee led by Latiplang Kharkongor as Chief Executive Member.

The Governor Tathagata Roy has ordered for floor test on March 24, after revoking the administrator’s rule in the KHADC on Saturday. This also came after UDA has claimed to have the support of 19 MDCs to form the new EC.

Earlier, the Meghalaya High Court has stayed the order of the Governor to hold elections to the posts of Chairman and Chief Executive Member CEM of the KHADC on March 17 and March 18, respectively following a petition filed by the incumbent Chairman, PN Syiem.

KHADC CEM, Latiplang Kharkongor told reporters that he is ready to face the floor test on Tuesday.

“This is because we (UDF) have won (against the government) in the court of law. However, whether we have the number it will all known tomorrow,” Kharkongor, who has earlier challenged the government’s order to invoke administrator’s rule, said.

He said the state government has totally failed and that is why they have to revoke the administrator’s rule in the KHADC.

Congress leader, Ronnie V Lyngdoh however said in politics nothing is impossible and that the number can change anytime.

“As of now, we are confident that the NC will be defeated in the floor of the House,” Lyngdoh claimed.

Chairman PN Syiem said Kharkongor is back as the CEM after the administrator’s rule has been revoked.

“This shows that unlike the chief minister who has to be immediately removed on invoking president’s rule in the state, the CEM however cannot be removed in the same manner because the CEM is elected by members of the Council,” he said.

Syiem however said the CEM has to be removed as per AD Rules.

Syiem slammed the government for also invoking administrator’s rule in the legislative wing of the council which according to him has never happened in the state before.

Asked, the Chairman said he has not received any appeal from any quarter to postpone the special session in view of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, and added that such matter will depend on the Governor.

Syiem said as per the order of the Governor, the special session will be conducted on Tuesday.

Syiem said that he will ensure that all advisories issued by the government will be followed during the special session.

“I have instructed that the House should be properly sanitized, to provide place for members to wash their hands and seating arrangement,” the Chairman said.