TURA, April 22: For the second time in two days, the NPP alliance defeated a resurgent opposition Congress to emerge victorious in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council as the Conrad K Sangma led party snatched victory in side by side elections to the top positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Member.
Raksamgre NPP MLA and MDC, Benedic R Marak comfortably defeated Congress MDC Sadhiarani Sangma of Dengnakpara in the election to the position of CEM on Thursday. The two-term NPP MDC defeated his Congress opponent by 16 votes to 12 in a secret ballot conducted by new GHADC Chairman Rakesh A Sangma.
The icing on the cake was apparently the additional vote given in favour of the ruling dispensation by the surprise arrival of Tura BJP MDC Bernard N Marak. The BJP MDC was conspicuous by his absence from Wednesday’s election to the post of Chairman which was won comfortably by the NPP’s Rakesh A Sangma against Cherak W Momin of the Congress (16-12).
With all 12 Congress MDCs participating in the voting for the CEM position, the NPP alliance had expected a victory margin of 15 to 12, until the Tura BJP MDC emerged and raised the bar. The GHADC Chairman cannot vote unless there is a tie.
“The Congress with 12 MDCs voted in line with the party whereas we had 16 votes with the participation of the Tura BJP MDC’s vote,” said a senior NPP alliance member.
Accepting the mandate given to him, new CEM Benedic Marak assured the house that he would take everyone along in the decision making process for the good of GHADC and Garo Hills.
“I shall uphold the office of the CEM and ensure transparency and good governance. I shall be a CEM for all members and employees,” said Benedic Marak in his first address as the CEM to the elected members of the house.
Congratulatory words and speeches were given by members from across party lines, including his opponent in the election and Congress MDC Sadhiarani Sangma who said that a lot of damage had been done to the council by the previous EC.
“Keeping aside party lines, reforms will need to be taken for the good of the district council,” urged Sadhiarani Sangma.
Echoing similar lines, Congress MDC Cherak W Momin assured constructive criticism for the good of GHADC and Garo Hills.
BJP MDC from Tura Bernard Marak urged upon all members not to allow party differences to be a deciding factor in the decision making of the GHADC.
Other MDCs who also spoke on the importance of the GHADC and the position of CEM included Deputy CEM Nikman Ch Marak of the GNC, BJP MDC from Barengapara Pramod Koch, Naguapara NPP MDC Dhormonath Sangma, Siju MDC Albinush Marak of the NPP, Independent MDC Natawal S Marak of Wagesik (Baghmara), Congress MDC from Boldamgre Stevie Marak and Williamnagar Congress MDC Alphonus R Marak.
The new Executive committee of Benedic Marak is expected to be formed within the next three days as several names begin doing the rounds for the important portfolios of Land and Revenue EM, Taxation EM, Rural Development EM, Water Resources EM, Transport EM, among others.
