SHILLONG: Sensing toppling game by the Congress led MUA government after it recommended the name of Selma D Marak on Friday to the post of nominated MDC in GHADC bypassing the name of Conrad Sangma recommended by GHADC, the NPP has threatened to expose the misdeeds of the State government in Delhi.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Sunday, NPP president W. Kharlukhi warned that if the government resorts to toppling game, the party will launch a dharna in Delhi like the Congress did in the national capital against the BJP government for toppling the Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh.
While the ruling NPP-led Garo Hills Progressive Alliance (GHPA) in GHADC has the support of 15 members out of the total 29 minus the yet to be nominated member, the Congress which is in the Opposition has 7 members. Besides, there are six Independents and one NCP member who are in the Opposition.
“If the Congress can agitate in Delhi after the Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh was toppled by the Centre, we can also resort to the same method against the move of the Congress led government in Meghalaya to topple the NPP led EC of GHADC,” Kharlukhi said.
According to the NPP leader, unlike the rules in KHADC and JHADC, the GHADC rule has clear provision to recommend the name of a nominated member.
For more than four months, the nomination of Conrad has been pending for clearance as it was on November 2 last year that Conrad’s name was cleared by the GHADC EC and the next day it was forwarded to the District Council Affairs department.
Earlier, the NPP-led Garo Hills Progressive Alliance had projected Conrad as the CEM of GHADC. The approval of Conrad as nominated member by the District Council Affairs department will enable him to take over the leadership of the Council from the present CEM Denang Sangma.
The cabinet decision to recommend a new name instead of approving the nomination of Conrad at a time when his family is in mourning period after the sudden demise of his father Purno A Sangma on March 4, has irked the party.
When contacted, GHADC CEM Denang Sangma said the move of the State cabinet to recommend the name of Shira is unconstitutional.
“It is very sad. Why the Chief Minister is doing this dirty politics and resorting to undemocratic move?” Denang questioned.
He said that it was based on the provision under Para 6 (A) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India that the GHADC had recommended the name of Conrad to the Governor.
According to Denang, the chief minister should follow the rule and added that the State government cannot interfere into the affairs of GHADC.
“The GHADC is an autonomous body. Others cannot interfere. We have our own rules. Why the chief minister should misinterpret the rule, and after all, this is not a state subject,” Denang said.
He also hinted that the move and intention of the Congress government is to topple GHADC EC led by him.
As anti-defection law is not applicable to district councils, there were instance of toppling of the ECs in the past.
“But we are intact and strong as we are committed to work for the welfare of the people of Garo Hills,” the GHADC chief said, while adding that though they are facing financial crisis to pay the salary of the staff, the GHADC is committed to initiate reforms to improve the financial position of the Council.
GHPA alliance intact, says CEM
Party position out of 29
Ruling GHPA Opposition
NPP: 10 Congress: 7
GNC: 3 Independent: 6
Independent: 1 NCP: 1
BJP: 1