TURA: In the biggest political surprise in the history of Garo Hills, the majority party in the GHADC, the National People’s Party (NPP) has selected Purno A Sangma’s younger son Conrad K Sangma, an unelected MDC, to head the new executive committee as the Chief Executive Member (CEM).
The former MLA of Selsella and previously leader of the opposition in the State Assembly, was elected head of the new Garo Hills Progressive Alliance comprising of 17 MDCs.
The GHADC has 29 elected members and one MDC is nominated by the ruling side. Conrad is expected to fill that gap.
“It was a unanimous decision by the ten NPP MDCs to select Conrad as the new CEM to take over the GHADC,” said elder brother and Dadenggre MLA James Pangsang K Sangma while announcing the name of the new council chief on Friday night.
Conrad K Sangma, a former power minister in the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance government of Donkupar Roy in 2008-2009, represented Selsella in West Garo Hills. He was defeated in the 2013 assembly polls by Clement Marak of the Congress.
Nephew of P.A. Sangma and two-time MDC from Nogorpara, Boston Ch Marak, was unanimously elected by the NPP legislative party to be the new GHADC Chairman.
Purno’s party stakes claim to form new EC
The Nationalist People’s Party (NPP) is all set to stake claim to form the new executive committee in the GHADC following the formation of the Garo Hills Progressive Alliance with 17 MDCs on Friday afternoon.
The alliance comprises of 10 NPP members, three from Garo National Council (GNC), one from the BJP and three Independents.
The Independent MDCs who have joined the NPP led alliance are Mark Goera B Marak (Batabari), Kurosh M Marak (Barengapara) and Devier M Sangma (Gasuapara). Another Independent MDC representing Balachanda, Sofior Rahman, also arrived at P.A. Sangma’s house during the press meet.
The three GNC MDCs who are in the alliance are Augustine R Marak (Silkigre), Wenison Ch Marak (Rongrikimgre) and Jinbirth Marak (Amongpara).
Triumphant BJP MDC from Zikzak, Bhupendra B Hajong, has also joined the alliance which was formed on Friday after a meeting at the residence of P.A. Sangma in Walbakgre locality of Tura.
