Decks clear for Shullai as Shiwat quits

JOWAI: The decks have been cleared for Andrew Shullai to take over as the chief executive member of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council with the council’s incumbent CEM Thombor Shiwat tendering his resignation on Thursday afternoon a day before the special session was summoned by the council’s chairman.
JHADC chairman Arborhima Darnei confirmed that Shiwat has stepped down and the special session had no more agenda since it was convened with the sole purpose of tabling a no-trust motion against Shiwat.
“As soon as I got his resignation letter, I have written to the Governor and once he accepts his resignation, another special session will be summoned to elect the new CEM,” said Darnei. The development is in contrast to what Shiwat, who did not turn up at the MPCC meeting, said on Wednesday. He had said that he would wait for the special session to be summoned before quitting.
Members of the council had elected Jowai Central MDC Shullai as the leader of the Congress party in the council at the MPCC meeting on Monday.
The Shiwat-led executive committee was accused of anti-party activities because he represents Nartiang, the constituency of Sniawbhalang Dhar, who was dropped from the Cabinet as minister of power, community and rural development.
The MPCC held a series of meetings to elect the new leader of the party in the council. On Monday evening, the meeting decided to elect Shullai as the new leader.
The JHADC has 20 Congress members.