MDA recommends administrator’s rule in KHADC

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 10, 2019

SHILLONG: The state cabinet on Tuesday decided to recommend to the Governor Tathagata Roy for invoking Administrator’s Rule in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, chief minister Conrad K Sangma said,”We have decided to recommend invoking of Administrator Rule’s based on the fact there is instability in the KHADC. The prevailing situation is not good since there is lack of clarity uncertainty and instability in the Council.”

He pointed out there has been moment that has taken place and one of the MDCs from one of the group shifted allegiance to another group which again tilted the entire equation.

“In a scenario like this, we have given a briefing and taken all the issues into account and accordingly taken a decision and forwarded a decision to the Governor for his necessary approval,” Sangma said.

The Chief Minister further observed that  few days back there were certain numbers on one side adding that within a week’s time, there was change in the number game.

Earlier the governor has rejected the recommendation of the state government.

Asked, Sangma however said, “Yes (this is the second time we are recommending for administrator’s rule), but this time as I said that because of the fact that really there is a very fluid situation, which is not good for the KHADC and the entire governance out there. So therefore in this kind of a situation where things are very fluid and numbers are changing continuously the most appropriate thing that the government feels should do or governor should do is to have the administrator’s rule.”

When asked if this decision of the Cabinet goes against the judicial review since the matter is pending in the court, he said that the court has given its standing saying that the Governor can give its decision whatever may the outcome of this case.

It may be recalled that the strength of the UDA has increase to 15 in the House of 29 following the decision of the Congress MDC from Mairang-Nongkhlaw, Batskhem Ryntathiang to the alliance while the strength of United Democratic Front (UDF) has been reduce to 13 minus the chairman of the Council.

KHADC CEM, Latiplang Kharkongor had filed a petition before the High Court over the delay to approve the list of Executive Members on Thursday last.  After hearing the petition, the court had issue notice to Governor Secretariat and State Government. The petition was supposed to be heard by the High Court today.

It may be mentioned that this is the second time that the State Government recommended for imposition of Administrator Rule’s in the KHADC. The State Government had earlier recommended for invoking of Administrator Rule after the UDP led United Democratic Alliance (UDA) was topple after five members decided of the ruling alliance voted in favour of the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition Congress.