SHILLONG: KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit on Friday stepped down from his chair, ending a month-long period of political uncertainty.
Basaiawmoit submitted his resignation to Governor K.K. Paul through KHADC Chairperson Teilinia Thangkhiew hours before the crucial meeting of the three political allies in the ruling ARPA coalition.
Basaiawmoit, who took over as the CEM on April 8, remained in office for six months and 18 days.
The decision of the UDP MDCs to surrender their portfolios proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Basaiawmoit. The UDP MDCs had hinted that they would resign as Executive Members (EMs) if the CEM did not step down.
“I have decided to put down my papers since I do not want to be the reason for the split in ARPA. I have also decided to quit the chair in order to ensure that ARPA last till the end of its term,” Basaiawmoit told newsmen after submitting his resignation.
“I am the reason behind the ongoing political crisis in the Council. I am sure that everything will settle down with my resignation,” he said, and called upon the general public and his supporters to respect his decision.
“Ever since taking over as the CEM, I have been nothing but a stumbling block for the coalition partners of ARPA,” Basaiawmoit said.
He, however, made it clear that he would continue to work for the development of the Council and the interest of the indigenous community in some other capacity.
“One must not forget that I am also an MLA. There are so many things that I have to do for the overall interest of the people of my constituency,” Basaiawmoit said.
Asked if any ‘outside force’ was involved in the ‘toppling game’, he said that he did not want to blame anyone.
Basaiawmoit’s troubles began when the UDP MDCs questioned his dictatorial style of functioning and sought change of leadership in the Council.
The UDP MDCs had alleged that Basaiawmoit takes decisions on his own without consulting the other EMs.
However, when the HSPDP refused to accept the demand for change of leadership, the UDP decided to give a second chance to Basaiawmoit with the condition that he should improve his conduct as leader of the ruling coalition.
Basaiawmoit ignored the UDP’s direction and went ahead with a public meeting on September 19 to clarify his stand on the various accusations against him.
During the public meeting, Basaiawmoit announced his decision to continue as the CEM while outrightly rejecting the pre-conditions set by the UDP, prompting the UDP MDCs to issue a warning that they would surrender their portfolios if the CEM did not resign from the post.
UDP, KHNAM ask HSPDP to elect new leader
The UDP and KHNAM have decided to allow the HSPDP, the majority ally of the ruling ARPA, to elect a new leader to replace Basaiawmoit.
“We have decided to allow the HSPDP to elect a new leader,” UDP president Donkupar Roy told newsmen after a meeting of ARPA which was attended by senior leaders of all three parties (HSPDP, UDP and KHNAM) and other MDCs here on Friday.
According to Roy, the HSPDP is scheduled to meet on Saturday to elect a new leader to take over the Council.
“There will be a meeting of ARPA after the HSPDP elects its new leader,” he added.
When asked if the party has accepted Basaiawmoit’s resignation, HSPDP president Hoping Stone Lyngdoh said that the party came to know of the resignation during the meeting itself.
“The party will meet on Saturday to discuss his resignation,” Lyngdoh said.
Meanwhile, KHNAM president Pyndapborthiaw Saibon said that his party respects Basaiawmoit’s decision in the best interest of ARPA.
Meanwhile, sources have indicated that KHADC Chairperson and Mylliem MDC, Teilinia Thangkhiew, and Executive Member in charge Elaka, K.P. Pangniang, were the front-runners for the CEM’s post.
The sources also stated that Thangkhiew holds the edge over Pangniang considering her performance as the Chairperson, but were skeptical that UDP might not support her candidature as she is known to be close to Basaiawmoit.
The sources also informed that the UDP had earlier opposed her nomination as Chairperson, but had to concede due to persistent pressure from Basaiawmoit.
HSPDP wants UDP to lead KHADC
Adding to the twist in the KHADC tale, hours after Basaiawmoit’s resignation as CEM, the HSPDP, in a late development, asked the UDP to lead the Executive Committee in the Council.
“We are thankful to both the UDP and KHNAM for giving an opportunity to HSPDP to elect the new leader. But after detailed deliberation, we have decided to give the UDP the opportunity to lead the Council,” HSPDP secretary K.P. Pangniang said in a statement, adding that the party has made this proposal with a clear mindset.
“We also assure that we will continue our support to ARPA till the completion of its term,” Pangniang added.
