SHILLONG: KHADC CEM Adelbert Nongrum survived the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition on Tuesday despite the defection of two members of the ruling coalition.
After the defection, the strength of the Opposition rose to 14, but the ruling coalition still had the support of 15 members including the Chairperson in the House of 29.
The absentee MDCs, Process T Sawkmie (KHNAM) and Grace Mary Kharpuri (Independent) switched their allegiance to the Opposition and it was reiterated by them during a news conference after the no- confidence motion.
The debate on the motion moved by Mawhati independent MDC James Sylliang lasted over three hours. But he withdrew the motion after the Opposition members exposed many defects in the administration of EC led by Nongrum.
No voting took place following the withdrawal of the motion as the CEM sought more time from the mover of the motion to address various concerns raised by the members.
Even though CEM survived the no-confidence motion, ARPA faced a major setback as the two of its members switched their allegiance to the Opposition.
Both Sawkmie and Kharpuri are the Executive Members in the Executive Committee (EC) led by Nongrum.
In fact, the KHADC CEM would have lost the no-confidence motion if Sohryngkham HSPDP MDC Pyniaid Sing Syiem had not backed out in the last minute after signing an agreement to be part and parcel of the newly-formed People’s Democratic Front (PDF).
Syiem was one of the 15 signatories to the letter of support to PDF on February 21.
In the 29-member House in the absence of a nominated member, at present the newly-formed PDF has the support of 14 MDCs while the ruling coalition has the support of 15 MDCs including Council chairperson Teilinia Thangkhiew.
Both Sawkmie and Kharpuri were not present in the House when the no-confidence motion was taken up for discussion.
During the debate on the motion, the Opposition MDCs questioned the inefficiency and incapacity of the CEM.
While moving the no-confidence motion, Independent MDC James Sylliang said that he (Nongrum) has failed to tackle several pertinent issues including the feeling of insecurity among the people residing along the inter-State border.
He said that as the local MDC, he is concerned over the continuous act of atrocities against the people residing in the inter-State border either by the Assam police or Assam based militants.
“A decision was earlier taken to have a joint delegation to meet the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma to impress upon the State Government on the safety and security of the people residing along the inter-State border. But till now nothing has happened,” Sylliang said.
The MDC alleged that this clearly reflects the inefficiencyon the part of the CEM.
Laitumkhrah Congress MDC Antonio War also questioned the failure of the Executive Committee to take cognizance of the encroachment of MUDA into areas under the jurisdiction of the Council.
“Till date, I have not seen any kind of pro active steps from the EC on this matter,” War said.
He also said that the Executive Committee has not closely followed up the suggestions for the amendments of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution proposed by the Ministry of Home Affairs which was submitted to the State Government.
“This kind of crucial exercise comes only once in few decades. The amendment of the Sixth Schedule will not happen every day. Therefore, it is a lackadaisical attitude of the EC,” the Laitumkhrah Congress MDC said.
While terming the present CEM to be an inefficient leader, Mawkynrew Congress MDC Banteidor Lyngdoh was full of praise for the former CEM Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit.
“Even from the Opposition, we were totally impressed with the initiatives of Basaiawmoit. We all wanted the former CEM to continue,” Lyngdoh said.
While claiming that he had even personally requested Basaiawmoit not to resign, Lyngdoh said that the former CEM did not listen to his request and finally resigned from his post which has created a huge vacuum in the functioning of the Council.
The Mawkynrew MDC also slammed the CEM for failing to take up issues concerning the interest of the Council.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Pynshngain N Syiem said that they have been forced to move the no-confidence motion since the people at large including members from the ruling coalition were unhappy with the performance of the present EM and the CEM.
“The present Executive Committee has failed to perform due to the lack of efficiency and competency on the part of the present CEM,” he said.
In his reply, KHADC CEM Adelbert Nongrum said that there is no justification on the part of the Opposition to move the no-confidence motion against him.
“It is impossible to expect that I will be able to clean up the mess which is there for the past 60 years in a span of four months. I will not hesitate to say that the Opposition has moved the no-confidence motion since they are power hungry,” KHADC CEM said.
Nongrum said that he has not lost hope even after the members expressed lack of confidence in him to lead the Council.
“I will continue to work for the overall interest of the people and the Council as long as people’s faith is with me,” Nongrum said.
He also said that in the past few months, he had tried his level best to address various pending issues including following up the good works initiated by the previous EC.
‘But I am not the one to invite the media to tell whatever I am doing. This can give a bad reflection that I am trying to take mileage to project myself. I want my work should speak for me,” KHADC CEM said.
He also said that as known by all, it is the situation that compelled him to take up the responsibility.
“I was never interested to be in this position since I know I can serve the people in whatever capacity,” Nongrum said.
