SHILLONG: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Executive Committee led by P.N Syiem ‘survived’ the no-confidence motion that was moved by opposition MDCs who, however, walked out without initiating discussion on Thursday.
Members on the opposition bench – the Congress, UDP, HSPDP and an Independent MDC – came out of the House asserting that Chairman L.G Nongsiej “bent the rules to suit somebody else’s convenience”.
The drama over no-confidence motion was played in several acts on the third day of the Council budget session leading to the session being prorogued sine die though it was to end on Friday.
Earlier, the opposition had submitted the no-confidence motion.
Prior to the commencement of the question hour, the Chairman announced that the no-confidence motion tabled by Teilinia Thangkhiew, the Parliamentary Party leader of HSPDP, would be taken up after the question hour.
However, after the question hour, she pointed out that she did not receive any order paper.
The chairman then reminded her that it was announced earlier in the House and urged her to move the no-trust motion.
Later, she was handed the order paper after which she moved the NC.
“Mr Chairman, Sir, this House now expresses its want of confidence in the Executive Committee under the leadership of P.N Syiem,” she read out.
The drama ensued when Thangkhiew, refused to initiate discussion on the no-confidence motion asserting that Nongsiej did not give enough time to prepare for the discussion since the no-confidence was submitted on Thursday before the session began.
Thangkhiew said the discussion should be initiated on Friday after the passing of the budget.
The opposition had 12 members on its side, one short of the ruling PDF.
However, when KHADC chairman asked the opposition MDCs to stand after he admitted the no-trust motion, only nine of them got up as three members were late.
The trio – UDP’s Donkupar Sumer and Rona Khymdeit and Independent Pyniaid Sing Syiem – came later and supported the motion.
Later, when asked to initiate the discussion, Thangkhiew said, “The rule has been laid down clearly that the chairman shall intimate that leave is granted and that the motion will be taken on such day not being more than two days and not less than 24 hours from the time at which leave is asked for.”
Chief Executive Member P.N Syiem, however, stood up and said the members should read the proviso mentioned in the AD Rules and that he wanted to ‘clarify’ the point.
“It is not on the part of the CEM to clarify but the chairman should clarify,” Thangkhiew replied.
The CEM remarked that since she has moved the expression of no-confidence, there is no other option but to initiate the discussion.
Amidst the din, he was interrupted by a point of order from Independent MDC Pyniaid Sing Syiem who said explanation of the situation should come from the chairman.
The chairman under pressure referred to Rule 71 and stated that since there is a matter of exigency, his office has to give an opportunity to discuss.
He was again interrupted by a point of order from Nongkrem MDC H.S Shylla who said the no-confidence motion has already been moved.
Thangkhiew said it was under the direction of the chairman that the motion was moved. Referring to the chairman, she said Nongsiej should explain the exigency that prompted him to bend the rules.
To this query, the chairman pointed out that the budget will have to be passed which then calls for an exigency and that the minority EC cannot pass the budget.
Thangkhiew again argued to move the no-confidence motion on Friday. “Discussion will be on Friday, that is, not less than 20 hours from the time at which leave is asked for as he may appoint.”
At this point, Syiem again stood up and said the decision of the chairman is justified in placing the no-confidence before passing the budget.
Asserting the need to clear the no confidence motion first than the Budget, the CEM said, “In case the EC loses the NC, it cannot pass the budget. If members have lost confidence in me as a leader, it is not my right to pass the budget that is an important policy of the District Council,” he said.
He asserted that the no-confidence motion has already been moved and the mover should initiate discussion.
Calling upon the chairman to wield his authority, Syiem said, “If they have no interest to initiate, Mr Chairman, Sir, please use your chair. To see how many members have expressed no confidence and let them stand.”
Taking part in the political squabble, Congress’s Manstudy Nongrem said, “The budget will have to be passed and then test the strength of the House.”
However, the chairman reiterated the mover to initiate the discussion. Sticking to her guns, Thangkhiew asserted that the chairman did not give enough time.
She said, “On my part, if the rest of the members agree I will protest as we don’t agree to bend the rules for somebody’s convenience.”
As a mark of protest, the members of the opposition walked out of the session hall.
