SHILLONG: The blow to the Executive Committee of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) failed to dent the confidence of P.N Syiem who said on Monday the People’s Democratic Forum (PDF) coalition “is intact and that the budget session scheduled for Tuesday will go ahead”.
Maintaining a firm stand, he told reporters on Monday, “Referring to the Assam Meghalaya District Councils Rules, their withdrawal of support will not affect the present Executive Committee (EC) of PDF. It will continue,” he said.
However, in a late night development, HSPDP member from Mawthadraishan Blanding Warjri extended support to Syiem saying the move by the three regional parties – HSPDP, KHNAM and UDP – to pull out of the coalition was aimed at giving support to the Congress, which Warjri was opposed to.
Syiem confirmed receiving the support letter. He added that the EC cannot be toppled without following the procedures of the Assam Meghalaya District Councils Rules and that a no-trust motion should be placed before ousting the EC under him.
He stated that the post of the chief executive member is an elected one and he cannot be removed by simply claiming majority as procedures of Assam Meghalaya District Council Rules should be followed.
Pointing out that the non-Congress members cannot topple the EC without the Congress, Syiem said, “The EC cannot be toppled without working together with the Congress. But there are other MDCs who withdrew support to PDF who do not want to work with the Congress.”
Asserting that Congress has failed to address certain issues of the people, he said, “How will they work together with the Congress?”
Syiem stated that to table a no-confidence motion, the MDCs who withdrew support to the PDF coalition should side with the Congress whereas none of the MDCs are willing to work together with the Congress.
The MDCs were “misled” and “it is a blunder on their part as non-Congress members cannot topple the EC of the PDF”, said Syiem and added that they would reconsider their decision.
Syiem also stated that Independent MDCs are supporting but refused to give the number as he maintained that to topple the EC the procedures of the Assam Meghalaya District Council Rules should be followed.
“It is surprising that no reason was cited (in the MDCs’ letters) for their withdrawal of support. As representatives, they should come out with a justification,” said Syiem.
