CEM says EC intact

SHILLONG: KHADC chief executive member P.N Syiem said on Monday that he is enjoying comfortable majority even after the withdrawal of UDP members’ support.
When contacted, Syiem said there was no threat to his Executive Committee as he has 17 members already extending support.
Asked about the UDP MDCs, Syiem said he was yet to receive a letter of withdrawal from the UDP members.
Hoping to get support from some UDP MDCs, the CEM revealed that his strength will swell to 21.
Is KHADC going the GHADC way?
With UDP withdrawing support to the coalition in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), the question arises whether the Council will be put under administrator’s rule as in the case of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council.
In the House of 29 MDCs, the P.N Syiem-led People’s Democratic Forum had the support of 23 MDCs but after UDP’s move, it is left with 17 MDCs from KHNAM, HSPDP and NCP, besides independent members of the Council.
The Congress has six MDCs in the opposition.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Congress Parliamentary Party leader in KHADC Mansturdy Nongrem said one independent MDC, Pyniaid Sing Syiem, is also supporting the Congress-led opposition in the Council.
When asked about administrator’s rule, Nongrem refused to comment and said there would be a meeting in a day or two to discuss the future course of action.
However, Neil Antonio War, who is now a BJP MDC, said there was no threat to the executive committee. “The decision of the UDP to withdraw support shows that their MDCs do not have any say in the Council and they are under pressure from senior leaders,” he added.