KHNAM to seek Governor’s intervention on move to further extend tenure of KHADC, JHADC

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 16, 2024

The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) has accused the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government of adopting political tactics to delay holding of the elections to the two autonomous district council (ADCs) in Khasi and Jaintia Hills region of the state. 

Addressing media persons on Friday, KHNAM working president Thomas Passah said, “We strongly oppose the government’s move to further delay the holding of the ADC elections. This is just a political tactic adopted by the state government to forcefully hold on to powers in the ADCs.”

“In democracy, it is of the people, by the people and for people but now (in the ADCs) for the past 6-7 months, the MDCs are of the MDA, by the MDA and for the MDA since their tenure has already expired on February this year,” he said.”

Terming the move to further extend the tenures of the ADCs as an attempt to bulldoze by the government, Passah said, “We expressed our disappointment that the state government dares to abuse its power by “illegally” extending the tenure of these ADCs.”

“The MDCs are demanded not to take salaries since their tenure has ended since February, this year. By them continuing to take salaries is totally illegal,” he said while adding “Therefore, we have decided to immediately write to the Governor for his intervention into the matter since the rights of the people to elect new houses in the two ADCs have been taken away by the incumbent government.”

According to him, there is no such emergency or no situation for the state government to decide extending the tenures of the two ADCs.

Asked, KHNAM leader said, “The governor has agreed on the proposal for delimitation. But there are many villages who protested against the manner in which the delimitation process has been done. Now, the question arises whether the process of delimitation has been conducted in a proper manner.

I will not blame the delimitation committee as you are asking them to do a humongous task within a short span of time. It is not easy. Therefore, this is just political tactics adopted by the state government to forcefully hold on to powers in the ADCs.”

Further, Passah said that he fears that the government would also make the issue related to the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India as another excuse to further delay holding of the ADC elections. 

“I fear that the MDA government and those who are holding on to powers in the ADCs, they can use this (Sixth Schedule issue) to further extend the tenure of the two ADCs, which is illegall and not acceptable at all. Therefore, the Governor can take decision on this matter,” he added.

“We have seen the autonomous power of the district council has been taken away by the state government. Why should the council of ministers sit to decide on extending the tenure of the ADCs? This is total infringement into the powers of the ADCs. In fact, Governor should also take a decision on such matters,” Passah further added.