TURA: The new NPP-led Garo Hills Progressive Alliance (GHPA) in the GHADC is expected to move for the removal of Congress nominee and current Chairperson, Sadhiarani Sangma, and appoint former CEM Denang T Sangma as Chairman after the budget session which takes place from Tuesday onwards.
The alliance is also expected to reward senior NPP MDC from Damas constituency, Dolly K Sangma, with the position of Deputy CEM while its alliance partner BJP would get two berths in the 12-member Executive Committee. The BJP currently has three MDCs, Kurosh Marak from Dalu, Bhupendra Hajong from Zikzak and Sofiur Rahman.
Win some, lose some
The Garo National Council which has, at one point of time been accused by its opponents of running with the hare and hunting with the hound, will see two of its MDCs sitting in the opposition benches.
Wenison Ch Marak and Jimbert Goera R Marak, both of whom were rewarded with positions by Boston Marak for crossing over to the Congress fold have been left out in the cold by the new NPP alliance.
NPP sources revealed that party MDCs and alliance partners had voiced their opposition to any move for the return of both Wenison and Jimbert Goera holding them accountable, alongside Boston, for the collapse of the previous EC headed by Denang T Sangma.
Wenison Ch Marak had then been rewarded with the deputy CEM post by the Congress for the split.
The lone GNC MDC who remained with the NPP alliance was former Deputy CEM Augustine R Marak.
New MLAs take part in CEM election
Two current MDCs from the NPP fold who contested the recent state elections and triumphed to become MLAs made their presence felt in the House during the election for the post of new CEM on Monday.
NPP MDCs Benedict Marak and S G Esmatur Mominin defeated two Congress heavyweights in the assembly elections, namely assembly speaker A T Mondal in Phulbari and Lemison D Sangma in Raksamgre.
Out of more than a dozen MDCs who contested the state elections, this time, it was only Benedict and Mominin who emerged victorious.
Congress’ strength drops drastically
The Congress, which less than one year back was sitting comfortably with a clear cut majority in the 29- member House is now down to nine members. Besides Chairperson Sadhiarani Sangma, the other members still in the fold are Boston Marak, Stevie Marak, Ismail Marak, Rupert Sangma, Kenedict S Marak, Wenison Marak, Goera B Marak and Jimbert Goera R Marak.