SHILLONG: The opposition in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council has been reduced to two members after five MDCs of the People’s Democratic Forum decided to support the HS Shylla-led executive committee.
The council members who switched sides are Parliamentary Party leader of PDF James Ban Basaiawmoit, Banteidor Lyngdoh, Hadrian Lyngdoh, Morningstar Mawsor and Arbinus Lyngdoh.
The opposition is left with former chief executive member PN Syiem and Grace Mary Kharpuri but may be weakened further.
Commenting on the new development, Shylla said, “I have spoken to Grace Kharpuri, she is likely to support the EC. We welcome anyone who wants to support the EC and we will also welcome Pynshngain N Syiem.”
The KHADC executive committee has the support of 27 members – six UDP MDCs, eight PDF MDCs, four each from HSPDP, NPP and the Congress and a KHNAM council member.
Prior to the decision of the five MDCs, three PDF members — Latiplang Kharkongor, James Sylliang and Blanding Warjri — had already extended support to the executive committee.