Shillong, Nov 26: North Shillong legislator, Adelbert Nongrum has been recognized as the new president of the Khun Hynñiewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

In a letter to Nongrum on November 15, the ECI under secretary, Kaptan Chand said, “I am directed to refer to your letter dated September 14 and 19 on the subject cited, and to state that the newly elected office bearers have been taken on record on the completion of their term, as per the provisions of the party constitution.”

Chand also informed that the new address of KHNAM mentioned as Jaïaw Lower Lansonalane, House No 32 & Ward No 14 and holding No 65, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District has been noted on record.

The letter of the ECI was in response to the letter submitted on September 14 and 19 for election of office bearers and change of address. With this, Nongrum claimed to have replaced Pyndapbor Saibon as the president of the party.

Informing this at a press conference held here on Monday, Nongrum said, “The ECI has recognized the new body of the party under my leadership as the president on November 15 and the office will be functioning from my residence.”

Nongrum and THS Bonney had earlier resigned as working presidents of the KHNAM as a mark of protest against the Saibon-led central executive committee (CEC)’s decision relating to declaring of candidates for the upcoming MDC elections to be held next year.

They had also demanded change of leadership in the party.

He further claimed that being the lone legislator of the party, he had the opportunity to merge with other political parties but he decided not to because he wanted to ensure unity among the members and supporters of the party.

Nongrum said that the step was taken after consulting constitutional experts. However, it was not made clear when has the party conducted the election for constituting the new body.

Meanwhile, Nongrum announced the name of Glenbert Khongwir as the candidate of the party in the upcoming MDC elections from Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah constituency.

The previous CEC of KHNAM had already announced Rocky Hek, who is related to the cabinet minister, AL Hek as its candidate from the said constituency.

When asked, Nongrum said the new executive committee of the KHNAM will not take any responsibility on the decision taken by the Saibon-led CEC.

“The new body will ensure that it fields candidates who are willing to work for the cause of the indigenous community. We don’t want to send MDCs who will defect from one party to another as it is presently happening in the KHADC,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nongrum also announced Bonney, who is also the newly elected general secretary of the party, as the official candidate for the Lok Sabha elections from Shillong parliamentary seat. Bonney’s name was earlier struck down by the previous CEC.

Reacting to a query, the general secretary said that the decision of the ECI came following Nongrum staking claim over the party.

Stating that the KHNAM is not a regional political party, Bonney said, “This is because the party represents only the Hynniewtrep people in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region. Therefore, we are party for the Hynniewtrep and not a regional party.”