SHILLONG: The Congress-led Khasi Hills United Democratic Alliance (KHUDA) in the KHADC will meet on Monday to take a final call on contesting the CEM’s post during the special session of the Council on October 8.
“We are expected to take a final call during our meeting to be held on Monday,” a senior Congress MDC informed here on Sunday.
As it stands at present, the Congress-led KHUDA does not have the requisite number, the senior Congress MDC said, even though he expressed hope that “things might change at the very last minute”.
The regional parties’ alliances (ARPA) had earlier named KHNAM MDC Adelbert Nongrum as their candidate for the CEM’s post.
Nongrum is expected to be elected uncontested if the Congress-led KHUDA decides against contesting the October 8 election.
Nongrum, a two-time MDC from Jaiaw, has never held the post of Executive Member in the KHADC.
Nongrum was offered the EM’s post in the previous HSPDP-led EC but finally decided to pave way for Mawlai MDC Process T. Sawkmie to become the EM.
Meanwhile, it is speculated that Nongshken MDC Grace Mary Kharpuri (Independent) who has offered her unconditional support to ARPA, is likely to lose her EM portfolio since all the three KHNAM MDCs – James Ban Basaiawmoit, Process T Sawkmie and Latiplang Kharkongor – are most likely to find a place in the new EC.
As per the arrangement, four MDCs each from the HSPDP and the UDP are likely to get the post of Executive Members.
Out of the total 29 MDCs, ARPA has the support of 17 MDCs – six from HSPDP and UDP, four from KHNAM and one Independent (Kharpuri) while the Congress-led KHUDA has the support of 12 MDCs including ten from the Congress, NCP MDC Sanbor Shullai and Mawhati MDC James Sylliang (Independent).