ARPA to wait for Tripathi’s decision on imposition of Administrator’s Rule in KHADC
SHILLONG: With Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi having his hands full vis-à-vis managing four states of West Bengal, Bihar, Meghalaya and Mizoram, the political parties, pressure groups and others in the State are finding it difficult to meet him for redressal for their various issues.
Meghalaya has not had a permanent Governor for three months now.
It was on January 6 this year that Tripathi was sworn in as the Governor of Meghalaya, but by that time, he was already holding the post in West Bengal and Bihar.
Later, on April 4 Tripathi was sworn in as the Governor of Mizoram.
The last time Tripathi visited Meghalaya was during the budget session to address the House on March 9.
Since the Governor has been out of station, there is uncertainty over the affairs of the KHADC as the All Regional Party’s Alliance (ARPA), which is claiming majority in the House, is waiting for his arrival to reiterate its demand to hold a special session to prove its majority.
Earlier on March 9, both the Government and the Opposition had met the Governor separately making claims and counter claims regarding the political crisis in the KHADC.
Moreover, there is uncertainty over the decision of the State Cabinet to impose Administrator’s Rule in KHADC after the Governor expressed reservation on the matter.
Though the Cabinet reiterated its decision, the Governor is yet to make his stand known to the government.
Meanwhile, ARPA has decided to wait for the Governor’s decision on the fresh recommendation of the state government for imposition of Administrator’s Rule in the KHADC.
“At the moment, we have decided to wait for the Governor’s decision,” ARPA chairman Metbah Lyngdoh said after an emergent meeting of the alliance MDCs on Tuesday.
He also said that the ARPA MDCs will meet the Governor whenever he arrives in the State and impress upon him the need to convene a special session for election of the new Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the KHADC.
Asked if they have taken any decision regarding approaching the court to appeal against the state government’s decision, Lyngdoh said that the situation does not warrant such extreme steps.
“We are confident that the Governor will judiciously apply his mind before taking a final call on the matter,” the ARPA chairman said.
To a query on whether the Governor had accepted the resignation of Adelbert Nongrum as the CEM, Lyngdoh said that as per his information, there has been no official communiqué from the Governor Secretariat on the acceptance of the resignation.