TURA, April 19: The newly elected house of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council has begun its function with the swearing in of all 29 elected members as MDCs on Monday morning by West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh in Tura.
The oath taking of the new MDCs began with Siju MDC Arbinush Marak of the NPP and ended with Alphonsush Marak of the Congress from Williamnagar MDC constituency.
Prominent among the newly elected members were designated CEM and Raksamgre NPP MDC Benedic R Marak, Chairman in waiting Rakesh A Sangma of the NPP from Babelapara MDC seat, former MLAs and newly elected Congress MDCs Ashahel D Shira from Batabari seat and Cherak W Momin from Kharkutta seat, giant killer Arbinush Marak (Independent) who defeated NPP CEM Dipul R Marak from Rochonpara and two brothers-in-law of chief minister Conrad K Sangma, namely Grahambell A Sangma from Jengjal (NPP) and Anseng A Sangma from Asanang (NPP).
The rift ridden BJP also had both its MDCs sworn in on the same day- Barengapara BJP MDC Pramod Koch and Tura MDC Bernard Marak being administered the oath.
The lone woman MDC to return to the GHADC for a second term was Sadhiarani M Sangma from Dengnakpara, wife of congress leader Zenith Sangma, who took her oath after Boldamgre MDC Stevie Marak of the Congress.
Non-tribal Independent MDC Akthar Ali from Zikzak took his oath in Garo, having rehearsed the lines in time for his swearing in, while Betasing Congress MDC Sanjay Koch had to be assisted by the deputy commissioner in completing his oath taking speech.
Other notable MDCs in the oath taking ceremony included the lone Garo National Council MDC from rongrikimgre, Nikman Ch Marak, who is a well known leader and proponent of the Garoland state Moment Committee, who is set to become the new Deputy CEM in the GHADC.
A young Agassi Marak, Congress MDC from Balachanda has taken on the mantle left behind by his late father and Congress minister Clement Marak.
The election for the post of Chairman is due to take place on Wednesday morning and the NPP led alliance has already selected Babelpara MDC Rakesh A Sangma for the contest. Rakesh Sangma became a giant killer when he defeated sitting Gambegre MLA and NCP state Chief Saleng A Sangma with a resounding victory in this GHADC election.