SHILLONG: Leader of the Opposition in the KHADC Manstudy Nongrem said the Executive Committee (EC) of the KHADC has collapsed as it has supported the resolution on cattle moved by the opposition member.
According to Nongrem, the resolution moved by him was adopted while the ruling EC did not speak anything about withdrawing it, “which means that EC is defeated”.
Nongrem pointed out a technical aspect in the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951, which stated that the Executive Council should request the mover to withdraw the resolution and then the EC will take necessary steps on the resolution moved.
In this connection, the Congress MDCs will seek the intervention of Governor Banwarilal Purohit and the State Government to dismiss PDF.
The resolution in question was related to the recent notification of the Centre on imposing ban on sale of cattle for slaughter that was moved by Nongrem during the Council session on Wednesday.
As per convention, the Chairman should ask the mover of the resolution on whether he would withdraw it after getting a reply from the leader of the House.
The situation took a different turn on Wednesday which surprised Nongrem as the KHADC Chairman, LG Nongsiej, jumped to the next resolution without the customary announcement on the action taken on the resolution on cattle.
Stating that such an incident had never happened in the past, Nongrem said, “Once the ruling concedes to the resolution, it means that the EC has collapsed. The EC should not agree (to the resolution moved) and the Chairman abruptly ended the resolution without any clarity on his part.”
The Congress in the KHADC stated that it will decide on the next course of action in a few days.
However, KHADC CEM and leader of the House P.N Syiem asserted that the AD Rules are silent on whether the Chairman should ask an opposition member to withdraw a resolution moved.
Commenting on the resolution that was accepted by the ruling EC, he said, “There are certain instances depending on whether it is a constructive (resolution). Since the present resolution is on opposing the beef ban, which the House across party lines agrees, there is no reason to ask the mover of the resolution to withdraw it.”
When asked whether it is mandatory for the EC to ask the opposition to withdraw the resolution, he said, “Here is a party-less institution. We can go along with anything constructive. And this is not the first instance. The rules do not say anything either.”
When informed that the opposition asserted that the EC of the PDF has been defeated, he said, “Under which rule? Let them cite the rule. Why mislead the people? Ask them to refer to the rules.”
Commenting on the no-confidence motion, Syiem said, “It is allowed but it will look bad as it was submitted and then recalled.”
“It should have been moved yesterday (Tuesday) as they don’t have the required number. Let them move the NC and follow the rules,” he said and added that the ruling PDF has 15 members and the movers of the no-confidence motion have only 13 members.
When asked whether it is relevant for the Chairman to announce in the House that the no-confidence motion was recalled, Syiem said, “It is submitted and recalled officially. What is the problem with him announcing it in the House?”