Chyne elected unopposed as new KHADC chief

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 24, 2020

Two-time UDP MDC from Sohra Titosstarwell Chyne on Tuesday was elected unopposed as the new chief executive member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).

This was after the four-month-old Latiplang Kharkongor-led United Democratic Forum (UDF) executive committee collapsed in a no-confidence motion moved by NPP MDC from Sohryngkham Pyniaid Sing Syiem during a special session held here amid lockdown imposed to prevent spread of COVID-19.

Chyne became the third CEM of the Council within a span of one year after new house was elected in February last year.

Pyniaid is also the secretary of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), which is having the support of 20 members in the House of 30.

The UDA is comprises of the United Democratic Party (UDP), National People’s Party (NPP), People’s Democratic Front (PDF), Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), and Independents.

The special session was convened based on the order of the Governor Tathagata Roy, who recently lifted the nearly three-month administrator’s rule in the KHADC.

During discussion on the no-trust motion, UDA members have expressed that they have lost confidence in the present UDF executive committee, which is backed by the opposition Congress.

When Pyniaid refused to withdraw the motion, Chairman of the KHADC, Pynshngain N Syiem decided to put the same to vote and all 20 UDA members stood from their seats and raised their hands in support of the motion.

Pynshngain then informed that the EC led by Independent MDC from Nongthymmai Latiplang Kharkongor has lost the confidence of the House as he announced that the CEM election will take place after the House was adjourned for few hours.  

When the House re-assembled, the Chairman informed that he has received four nominations papers filed by Titosstarwell Chyne alone. “Therefore, I declare that Chyne has been elected unopposed as the new CEM of the Council,” Pynshngain said.

Chyne was also escorted to the CEM seat after he was felicitated two women MDCs Grace Mary Kharpuri and Macdalyn Sawkmie Mawlong.  Almost all the members took part in the felicitation ceremony of the newly elected CEM.

Addressing the House, Chyne has expressed confidence that the new executive committee would last till the end of the remaining term and assured transparency and accountability in its functioning.

Stating that there will be no room for partiality and that all members will be treated equally, he said, “We will ensure there is no discrimination against anybody. I will hold an all MDC meeting regularly to discuss on the various issues concerning the district council and the indigenous community.”

The new KHADC chief said that he has gone through the report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs with regards to the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India.

“I feel that we still need to send again our suggestions to the Committee and I will soon convene a meeting to discuss on the matter,” he informed.

The CEM also expressed concern over the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. “I request all members to join me in prayer so that our state will not be affected by this virus,” he said. On his request, all members of the House including the Chairman and deputy chairman stood up on their seat and prayed for few minutes.

Earlier while congratulating Chyne, former KHADC chief Latiplang Kharkongor said that he welcomed the NC moved against him and hopes that stability is restored in the Council. He however regretted that the executive committee under his leadership was never given a chance to perform.

It may be mentioned here that the state government has refused to notify the election of Kharkongor as the CEM and instead recommended imposition of administrator’s rule on ground there is political instability in the Council.

Kharkongor had to file a petition before the Meghalaya High Court, which has directed the Governor to approve the list of EMs submitted to him. However, before his EC could function, the administrator’s rule was imposed on February 7.

KHADC chairman said that the Governor and the state government have finally given their full recognition to the EC of Kharkongor by issuing this order to hold the floor test today.

He also urged the newly elected CEM to protect the autonomous status of the district council and said, “We should not be happy to get lots of fund and forget about the autonomy of the district council.”

It may be mentioned here that the High Court has earlier stayed the order of the Governor to hold elections to the post of Chairman and CEM on March 17 and March 18 respectively following a petition filed by the incumbent Chairman of the KHADC. Pynshngain had challenged the order on the ground that there was no vacancy.