Shillong Mar 14: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) chairman, Pynshngaiñlang N Syiem said that lifting the Governor’s Rule from the Council, which was brought under ‘suspended animation’ does not mean that there should be fresh election for the post of chairman and chief executive member (CEM) of the council.

It was on February 7 that the KHADC was brought under Governor’s Rule, and the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills district was appointed as the ‘administrator’ of the KHADC by the Governor, Tathagata Roy.

On March 13, the Governor’s Rule in KHADC was lifted and the election for the post of chairman was fixed on March 17 at 10 am, and the election of the chief executive member (CEM)on March 18 at 11 am.

However Syiem said that as the Governor’s rule was lifted, the executive committee led by Latiplang Kharkongor as the CEM, was also restored.

Syiem said that the CEM and chairman or deputy chairman of the KHADC have not been removed after the Governor’s rule was imposed in the KHADC because these three posts are elected by members of the Council, and not appointed by the Governor.

According to Syiem, if the election to the post of Chairman is held, the matter would be taken to the court.

“Though the Governor’s rule was imposed in KHADC, but the CEM, chairman or deputy chairman of the Council remained because if the vacancies have to be created, the persons who hold the posts have to be removed as per rule 21 and rule 11 of the autonomous districts (constitution of district councils) rules, 1951. I am now waiting for the verdict of the Meghalaya High Court on the petition filed by the CEM, Latiplang Kharkongor who is challenging the validity of the Governor’s Rule,” Syiem said, adding that the Governor’s Rule was imposed “without any ground” in the KHADC.