Tura, Nov 27: The ruling National People’s Party (NPP)-led Garo Hills Progressive Alliance (GHPA) was reduced to a minority in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) after five of its members voted in favour of the opposition Congress backed nominee to the post of the Deputy Chairman of the Council.
Opposition candidate, Mettrinson Momin secured 15 valid votes whereas the ruling GHPA candidate, Augustine Marak bagged only 13 votes.
GHADC Chairman, Denang T. Sangma, who conducted the election, said one of the votes polled by one MDC was found invalid.
The ruling coalition members led by the Chief Executive Member, Dipul Marak staged a walkout following the defeat in the election to the post of the Deputy Chairman, and prior to a trust vote that was supposed to take place.
Further, the Chairman of the GHADC immediately adjourned the House leading to a huge uproar from the opposition bench, who continued to sit in the well of the House in an agitated state.
Though, the NPP-led GHPA has been reduced to a minority, the Chief Executive Member and his Executive Members, were not known whether they have gracefully stepped down.
Meanwhile, the opposition Congress has decided to take legal recourse against the ruling GHPA.
