Shillong Nov 26: The collapse of an executive committee in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has caused anxiety within the coalition Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government.
The executive committee led by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) collapsed on November 20 after KHADC chairman, Pynshngaiñlang N Syiem voted for the no confidence motion moved by the opposition Congress due to a tie of 14-14 between the two sides.
Chief minister, Conrad K Sangma along with other leaders held discussion on the issue including with Assembly Speaker, Metbah Lyngdoh who is the president of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and deputy chief minister, Prestone Tynsong.
The members of the council under the banner of UDA also met the UDP president and apprised him about the political situation in KHADC.
On Tuesday evening, the members of the UDA were to meet the chief minister, but the meeting was cancelled as the chief minister left for Delhi for an urgent meeting.
Later the members met deputy chief minister, Prestone Tynsong and raised the issue related to election of the new chief executive member, Latiplang Kharkongor especially when the state government has not issued any notification.
Kharkongor, who was backed by the Congress, got elected as the new chief executive member on November 22 when members of UDA were not present in the House.
The governor, Tathagatha Roy has also approved Kharkongor’s election and conveyed his approval through the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills district, not through the district council affairs department.
“We wanted to know from the governor, what are the facts and hidden consideration of the governor for approving the CEM without going through the district council affairs department,†senior member of the council, Bindo M Lanong asked.
Lanong said that it was a clear case that the governor has made a mistake, and the state government should not allow further mistake to happen, especially if the list of executive members reached the governor’s office.
Earlier during the day, the chief minister, Conrad K Sangma said that the state government has not yet gone through the file and noting that the governor has put in on the issue.
“We have to see what the governor has said, and maybe, he had his legal and constitutional points that are there. Once we go through, we will take a call how to move forward. I do not think that one has to look at the tussle (between the state government and Raj Bhavan). It was just a procedural matter, and the governor has taken a call based on his own view point. We will see the file and decide how to move forward,†Conrad said.
The UDP president, Metbah Lyngdoh said that the situation in KHADC would not have any effect on the coalition MDA government.
“I did not see any misunderstanding in the MDA government because of the situation in KHADC. The MDCs have also met me and apprised about the situation. I also discussed the issue with the chief minister,†Lyngdoh said, adding that the recommendation of the state government to impose administrator’s rule in KHADC was the right decision based on the situation.
Asked about the decision of the governor, Lyngdoh said that the state government would take a call on this.