TURA: The Garo National Council is set to head the Executive Committee in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) for the first time in its history after its Chief Executive Member (CEM) Boston Ch Marak joined the Garoland statehood demand party here on Monday.
The rebel NPP MDC, Boston Marak, who was expelled from the party for joining hands with the Congress and other Independents to dislodge the Denang T Sangma-led EC, in March last year, had taken over in July as the CEM with the support of the Congress and other Independents.
Six months later, he joined the GNC in the presence of party president Kalpana D Sangma and will be contesting the Salmanpara constituency in the ensuing assembly elections.
When Contacted by The Shillong Times, Boston revealed that he had joined the GNC and would be their candidate to fight the polls from Salmanpara constituency in South West Garo Hills district.
“I joined the GNC on Monday after consultation with my supporters who wanted me to contest the coming elections from Salmanpara as their party candidate,” said Boston Marak.
When asked why he had not sought a ticket from the Congress which he helped in breaking the NPP-led EC in the GHADC, he said that since the party would be fielding its sitting legislator he decided to join the GNC.
He dismissed reports about the possibility of his removal from the CEM’s position now that he was heading a GNC led Executive Committee in which the largest alliance partner was still the Congress.
“Majority of support is with me. There is no resentment. I have joined the GNC for the purpose of the coming Assembly elections which I intend to contest,” claimed Boston Marak.
Heading an alliance of Congress, GNC and Independent MDCs under the banner of United Democratic Alliance, the GNC appears to be the biggest gainer bagging as many as three executive member (EM) positions despite having only four MDCs.
In the 11-member Executive Committee of the GHADC, apart from Boston as CEM, the GNC also has Winnison Marak as Deputy CEM and Jimbert Goera R Marak as Revenue EM. The lone GNC member out of the EC is Augustine R Marak who was earlier the Dy CEM in the NPP-led EC.
Interestingly, while Boston will be contesting against both the Congress and NPP from Salamanpara seat, his other colleague Augustine Marak is taking on sitting Independent legislator Rophul S Marak from Siju-Rongara seat in South Garo Hills.
