UDA urges Governor to convene Spl session of KHADC

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 2, 2020

SHILLONG: The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has urged the Governor Tathagata Roy to convene a special session of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) in order to prove majority in the House.

A delegation of UDA led by chairman Teinwell Dkhar and secretary Pyniaid Sing Syiem also met and submitted a petition to the Governor at Raj Bhavan on Saturday.

This came after the ruling of the Meghalaya High Court was passed recently asking the Governor to approve the appointment of a deputy Chief executive member and four executive members as per the list submitted by the Chief Executive Member Latiplang Kharkongor.

The UDP which is having the strenght of 16 members however sought the intervention of the Governor citing that Latiplang’s executive committee is in minority.

“We pray and reiterate therefore, that the best course to save democracy and merit in our side, your honour may take recourse to Rule 36 (5) and order special session of the Council to prove the majority in the floor of the House, to be fair to the submission in this petition before you,” the UDA said.

The petition said that the new development which has to be noted at is that the name of Grace Mary Kharpuri (Nongshken MDC), which was proposed as deputy CEM, declined to accept the offer and that she has intimated in writing vide letter on January 29.

The alliance said that the United Democratic Front (UDF) group under Latiplang Kharkongor and now CEM, is a minority group, having only 12 members as per the list signed by all members.

One seat is vacant owing to the recent demise of Langrin MDC Nasser Marwein while the other seat is the office of a Chairman of the House.

“Thus, the minority EC is running the Council in the KHADC today, which goes against all norms and in contravention of parliamentary democracy,” the UDA said.

“The spring session of the KHADC is due sometime about a month from now, when we shall have the option to prove our majority in the floor of the House. But with the opportunity afforded to the minority group, especially in the council having no anti-defection law, anything can happen from now till then, no one can predict or guarantee,” it said.

The list of 16 members was also submitted to the Governor. The other members of the UDA include Gigur Myrthong, TW Chyne, Victor Ranee, Shanborlang L Mawlong, Martle Mukhim, BM Lanong, Paul Lyngdoh, Lambor Malngiang, Ryngkatlang Lyndem, Teiborlang Pathaw, Batskhem Ryntathiang, Grace Mary Kharpuri and Jambor War.