Budget session commences today; axe likely to fall on some MDCs
JOWAI: Congress members of the JHADC including the nominated MDC were vertically split into two groups – one under the leadership of Chief Executive Members Thombor Shiwat and the other led by tainted ex-JHADC chief M.B. Rymbai and Deputy CEM Andrew H Shullai.
The JHADC budget session will commence on Tuesday but on Monday none of the MDCs were found to be attending office.
Speaking to this scribe, EM in charge Financial Affairs, Joinriwel Pyrtuh, asserted that the Thombor Shiwat led Executive Committee was still in the majority. He claimed that Shiwat enjoys the support of 17 MDCs – Deseous Dhar, Joinriwel Pyrtuh, Arborhima Darnei, Phillip Tangliang, Kilometer Lytan, Phein Nanglein, Hallondo Lamin, nominated MDC Sevenborn Tang (all Congress) and UPD members including Marki Mulieh, Shemhok Garod, Moonlight Pariat and Violet Lyngdoh, besides Independent members including Phasmoon Dkhar, Suk Shylla and Het Pohthmi.
However, the group led by M.B. Rymbai and Andrew H Shullai have been claiming support of 19 members in the 30-member House including JHADC Chairman Laitsing Shylla, Deputy Chairman Hoppingstone Bareh, Winning Sungoh, Wison Iano, Hermon Phawa, Andrew W Shullai and Ruda-o Tang besides Independent members including Skhem Suchiang and Rio Sten and UPD members Chanky Lyngdoh and Richard Singh Lyngdoh.
According to sources, the move to topple the Thombor Shiwat led EC started in February. On February 26, 21 MDCs signed an agreement to support the present EC; however, eight members of the same group later signed an agreement to support the M.B. Rymbai led group.
Sources also informed that the JHADC Chairman, who is against the sitting CEM, might wash his hands off the JHADC political crisis by entrusting the chair to his deputy to preside over the budget session on Tuesday.
Sources also informed that the list of business has been revised to two working days on Tuesday and Wednesday with two sittings each.
When contacted, some opposition MDCs claimed they were not aware of any such toppling games even though they admitted to have received several phone calls from both the group.
Reliable sources also informed that the Deputy Chairman may suspend some of the members in the house during the session.
“The Deputy Chairman is an educated person and he had read all the precedents and rules of the JHADC. So he might be suspended some of the members of the House during the budget session,” a source claimed.
Source also informed that there have been cases of horse trading going on for the past two months and some members have taken money from each group based on telephonic conversations.
“Our MDCs are cheap; they are all after money. They spend one night with one of the group leaders and the next night with another leader. They do this all for money,” a source informed, adding, “They are no different from our voters.”