KHADC to submit views over govt’s decision to hold ADC polls, Shylla to resign from the post

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 25, 2019

SHILLONG: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) will soon submit the views of its members to the state government with regards to holding of the council polls following the Union Cabinet’s approval the amendments to the Sixth Schedule.

The decision was taken after a meeting convened by the KHADC chief Hispreaching Son Shylla with the sitting MDCs here on Friday. However, only a few MDCs which include from the Congress, UDP and PDF turned up for the meeting.

“The meeting has evoked mix response from the elected members as some have expressed their desire to go ahead with the elections while the others want extension of the existing House,” Shylla told reporters.

Asked, the KHADC chief executive member said that he is in favour of postponing the elections. “I am all out for extension of the present House. I will submit my views and the views expressed by the members to the state government,” he said.

Slamming the state government’s decision to go ahead with the elections slated for February 27, Shylla, who is also sitting NPP MDC from Nongkrem said that this only reflect that it is reluctant to have an anti-defection law in the autonomous district councils (ADCs).

“If the leaders of the political parties especially those who are in the ruling government respect the mandate of the people, they should demand postponement of the elections,” he said.

According to him, time and again the MDCs have been criticized for defecting from one party to another after winning elections.

“Therefore, if they are serious, they should wait for six months in order for us to enjoy the benefits granted by the Centre through the amendments of the Sixth Schedule but not to wait after five years,” he said.

Asserting the need that delimitation of constituencies should be done before holding the elections, Shylla said the delimitation process should address the issue of uniformity of electorates in the constituencies.

The KHADC chief also expressed his willingness to resign from the post if the present House is extended.

“I will handover charge to Teinwell Dkhar and I will take over as chairman, the post presently held by him,” he said.