Oath-taking today
SHILLONG: For the first time in the history of KHADC, a woman has been given nomination to the post of Chairperson.
The All Regional Parties Alliance (ARPA) on Monday decided to nominate woman MDC Teilinia Thangkhiew from HSPDP to represent the coalition for the post of Chairperson in KHADC. The election for the post will be held on March 6.
If elected, Thangkhiew will be the first woman to hold the post of Chairperson in the history of district councils in Meghalaya. In fact, traditionally the name of the post of the presiding officer in KHADC is ‘Chairman’ and in the case of Thangkhiew’s election there would be a change in nomenclature also.
The Congress-led coalition is also planning to put up a candidate to contest the post of Chairman in KHADC, necessitating an election.
Thirty one-year-old Thangkhiew told reporters that with the support she got from ARPA coalition, she decided to accept the offer for the post of Chairperson. In the past, in the absence of Chairman, she had presided over the House occasionally, she said. “I am confident to handle the duties of the post with the support of the new Executive Committee.”
Earlier, briefing reporters after the meeting of ARPA, chairman of the Alliance Ardent Basaiawmoit announced the candidature of Thangkhiew for the post of Chairperson.
Basaiwmoit said that ARPA was confident to carry on for five years after the formation of the next EC shortly.
He also expressed hope that all the partners under ARPA would respect the “gentleman’s agreement”, though it was not legally binding. “We have to respect the mandate of the people”, Basaiawmoit said.
On Independent candidate James Sylliang leaving the coalition, Basaiawmoit said that the agreement to form the EC was between the three regional parties. “It was Sylliang who extended unconditional support to the coalition and it was accepted”, Basaiawmoit said.
The ARPA coalition was yet to receive any communication from James that he had withdrawn support to the coalition, he added.
SESSION: Meanwhile, Governor Dr KK Paul has convened the session of the KHADC and JHADC on Tuesday at 11 am. The deputy commissioners of East Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills would administer the oath of office to the newly-elected members.
The Governor has further fixed March 6 as the date for the election of chairman of the respective District Councils.