TURA, Feb 22: UDP MDC, Ashahel D Shira, on Tuesday, backed his colleague, Rakesh Sangma to the position of the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) while Deputy Chairman, Nikman Marak has sought an amicable solution to the matter between all parties involved.
“This is to clarify on recent events that have taken place in the GHADC in which a democratically elected CEM has been prevented from running his new administration because of various organisations questioning his identity. I would like to set the records straight over the incidents that took place for the past two weeks,” said Ashahel through a press statement.
Shira questioned the protest against Rakesh by the NGOs stating clearly that the CEM was elected and not nominated or appointed by any particular person or group.
“He was elected in a democratic process from Babelapara and subsequently nominated by the ruling majority in the GHADC to contest the CEM election. He won the position in a democratic election in which all elected MDCs cast their vote. It is very disturbing that for someone democratically elected to not be allowed to function in office and destroys the very purpose of our democracy which strives for people’s power,” he added.
Shira stressed that the most powerful tool – vote — was used to elect Rakesh as had they who supported Rakesh as CEM. “It is a tragedy that despite following all norms of our Constitution when it came to elections, a rightfully elected member continues to be barred from discharging his duties which is against all democratic norms of our country,” the UDP MDC added.
Shira felt that those with issues with the CEM relating to his tribal way of life, the matter needed to be settled in court and not in the GHADC which he said has lost lakhs of rupees in revenue every day since the protest began.
“We are harming the progress of Garo Hills by not allowing our oldest democratic institution to function. It would be in the interest of entire Garo society to allow the GHADC to function without any further hindrance,” he added.
Meanwhile, in another statement, Deputy CEM, Nikman Marak, said, “Taking into account the long pending, important issues concerning the GHADC that require solution on war footing, it is imperative on the part of the leading political parties to create a conducive atmosphere in the District Council at this juncture.”
Nikman hoped that in view of the steps being taken by the state government, an amicable solution to the ongoing impasse within the GHADC would be brought soon.