Syiem named Congress leader in KHADC
SHILLONG/ JOWAI: Newly elected Congress MDCs in the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), in a late Thursday night meeting at the residence of MPCC president DD Lapang, elected Nartiang- Umladang MDC Thombor Shiwat as the Congress Parliamentary Party Leader in the Council.
Among those present at the meeting were Sniawbhalang Dhar, Comingone Ymbon, Justine Dkhar, Stephenson Mukhim, Robinus Syngkon, Ngaitlang Dhar, Gilbert Sten and Shitlang Pale.
The Congress, with the support of Independent MDCs, is all set to form the next Executive Committee in the JHADC, but in an initial hiccup, several contenders had emerged for the post of the new CEM.
Sources informed that two elected members of Congress – Nartiang- Umladang MDC Thombor Shiwat and Khliehtyrshi MDC MB Rymbai, the sitting CEM – were vying for the top post.
Meanwhile, in post-election developments, several Independent candidates have come knocking at the doors of the Congress, informed a senior Congress member.
“Many of them, around six in number, have approached us,” he said.
“Though many Independent members have approached us we will not accept them blindly; we have to screen them first,” a source from within the Congress said.
As many as nine Independents emerged victorious in the JHADC poll.
Surprisingly, the Congress insider even claimed that some UDPMDCs have also approached the party leader to support the Congress in the formation of the new Executive Committee. However, the newly elected UDP MDCs have rubbished the claims, and informed that they have decided to stick together as opposition member in the House of 30.
The UDP in Jaintia Hills held a meeting with all the six newly elected members of the party here on Friday.
“At the meeting, we have decided that all members who was elected from the party will stick together and remain as opposition members in the House,” UDP district president Michael Saio and secretary G Lamare said.
“It is better for us to stick together and remain in the opposition for the benefit of the people,” Saio said.
PN Syiem to lead Congress in KHADC
Congress MDCs who were elected to the KHADC met at the residence of MPCC president DD Lapang late Thursday night and unanimously elected outgoing Chief Executive Member, PN Syiem as the Congress Parliamentary Party leader in the Council.
The meeting was also attended by Congress ministers Prestone Tynsong and HDR Lyngdoh and party legislators Kennedy Khyriem and PN Syiem.
Earlier, Lapang complimented all the newly elected MDCs and asked them to work closely and collectively for the welfare of the people of the State.
It was, however, unclear whether the Congress, which emerged as the single largest party in the KHADC, will stake claim to form the next Executive Committee.