SHILLONG: UDP MDC Teinwell Dkhar was elected as Chairman of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Tuesday following an election which also witnessed some drama.
The MDCs of People’s Democratic Front (PDF) with the support of the Congress finally participated in the election to the post Chairman which went on smoothly though was marred by arguments in the beginning.
PDF MDC Grace Mary Kharpuri said that Pro-tem Chairperson, Teilinia Thangkhiew should not preside over House as she is also party to the affidavit filed in the Meghalaya High Court.
To this Thangkhiew said she had been authorised to preside over the House. Grace said that Thangkhiew had also filed an affidavit.
When Thangkhiew stressed that she was following the notification of the Governor who has authorized the Pro-tem Chairman to preside the session.
Kharpuri retorted by saying, “You have lost your moral authority. You have lost your moral authority over here.”
Not budging from her stand, Thangkhiew said she sticks to the notification of the Governor who has authorized her to conduct the election.
Again, Kharpuri said, “This is subjudice.”
Amidst the din, Thangkhiew asked the Secretary of the KHADC to call out names of the members who will take part in the voting.
Following this direction, the House fell silent. However, at this juncture, Kharpuri said, “If this is so, we have to refrain from casting our votes.”
To this Thangkhiew said, “That is up to you.”
After the election, Thangkhiew announced, “Teinwell Dkhar got 17 votes and Hadrian Lyngdoh got 10 votes.”
PDF chairman PN Syiem was absent on the day of the election, while Kharpuri refrained from voting.
It may be recalled that during the election to the post of CEM and Deputy Chairman, the PDF and the Congress abstained from voting.
