Opposition MLAs seek clarity on conduct of KHADC by-elections
SHILLONG: Opposition Leader Donkupar Roy (UDP) has exposed the ‘dilemma’ the State government is facing on the conduct of the upcoming KHADC by-polls while Congress legislator and KHADC CEM P.N. Syiem asked the government to get the nod of the district council before allotting funds for conduct of polls or for any other purpose.
During the Question Hour on Thursday, Syiem rued that it is a wrong precedent to use the funds of district councils to conduct the council polls without the knowledge of the KHADC.
The KHADC CEM also asserted that the government cannot spend a single paisa from the KHADC without getting clearance from the council.
In reply, District Council Affairs Minister H.D.R. Lyngdoh said the government will examine the past precedent of not seeking nod from the Council before using funds of the councils.
He said Rs 2 crore will be required to conduct the by-polls.
Earlier, raising a question, Opposition Leader Roy pointed out that with the MLAs not being able to contest the upcoming district council by-polls for the seven vacant seats following the dual post Bill, it would mean that the government is debarring the MLAs from contesting the election if the Election Commission does not find anything wrong with MLAs holding the post of MDCs.
The issue related to office of profit is still pending with the Election Commission.
To a question, the District Council Affairs minister said it is up to the MLAs to contest the council by-polls.
According to Lyngdoh, before the dual post Bill came into effect, there was no bar on the MLAs from contesting the district council polls, but after the Bill came into effect from October 1 last year, it is left to the MLAs to decide whether to contest the polls or not.
However, Roy pointed out the dangers of returning officers rejecting the nominations of MLAs who desire to contest the district council polls in the absence of any clarity.
At this juncture, Syiem wanted to know from the government the reason behind the resignation of the seven MLAs from the post of MDC.
Without making clear the reason, the District Council Affairs minister said that as per district council rules, once the MDCs resign the seats remain vacant, while adding that the reason for resignation has no relevance.
However, Syiem pointed out that the minister was unwilling to give any answer regarding the matter.
Saleng Sangma (Independent) pointed out certain clauses which mention that in the event of the resignation of MDCs, election should not be held as the runners up will automatically become the members of district councils.
However, the minister gave a different interpretation by saying that this applies only when a person contests and wins two seats and vacates one of them.
With varied interpretations emanating, Speaker A.T. Mondal asked the government to come out clear on the matter.
