Syiem wants anti-defection law in autonomous district councils

SHILLONG: Former KHADC CEM and chief of People’s Democratic Front, PN Syiem, who resigned recently as the chief executive member, has stressed the need for introduction of the anti-defection law in the autonomous district councils.
Talking to The Shillong Times on Saturday, Syiem said that the problem in the KHADC is the absence of the Tenth Schedule and under such circumstances, it is very difficult for the CEM to carry his team along since the MDCs are free to move anywhere they like.
“We need the anti-defection law to bring stability and amendments to the tenth and Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to stop MDCs from running away from their respective parties”, the former CEM said.
When asked about the new EC under the leadership of HS Shylla, Syiem said that many MDCs were kept in a hotel to stop them from shifting allegiance and the situation reveals everything.
“They have 15 to 16 MDCs and if 2 or 3 join the other group, it will be an end for them,” Syiem said.
NPP MDC HS Shylla on Friday became the new chief executive member of KHADC even as his rival, Grace Mary Kharpuri, was absent.
Teilinia Thangkhiew, the pro-tem chairperson presiding over the election, named Shylla as the CEM since Kharpuri, the other candidate in fray, did not take part in the election.
On the other hand, People’s Democratic Front (PDF) has filed a case in the High Court of Meghalaya alleging that the election to the CEM post in the KHADC was not conducted as per the rules of the council.