SHILLONG: The ARPA suffered a major blow on the eve of election of a new CEM when Mawhati MDC (Independent) James Sylliang withdrew support from the ruling coalition.
This latest development has come up a day ahead of the election of the new Chief Executive Member (CEM) which is scheduled to be held during the special session on Friday.
Confirming this, KHADC chairman Teilinia Thangkhiew said that the Mawhati MDC submitted a letter to her informing his decision.
With this latest development, ARPA’s strength in the 30-member House has come down to 14 (minus the chairman). When contacted, the Opposition PDF chairman Pynshngaiñ N Syiem said that the opposition alliance’s strength has gone up to 15 with the joining of Sylliang.
The ruling coalition could face a defeat in the floor of the House since Nongshken MDC Grace Mary Kharpuri is unlikely to attend the special session since she is out of station.
“I will try my best to attend the special session,” Kharpuri said over telephone when contacted.
She also maintained that she was still with the ruling coalition.
Meanwhile, the KHADC Legislative secretary A Shangpliang informed that nomination papers filed by Metbah Lyngdoh (ARPA) and Pynshngaiñ N Syiem (PDF) for the CEM’s post were found to be in order.