SHILLONG, June 21: Newly-appointed leader of the opposition in the KHADC and UDP leader, Titosstarwell Chyne slammed Congress for trying to mislead the people by claiming it backed the NPP in the council to prevent the imposition of Governor’s Rule.
Chyne told reporters on Wednesday that Governor’s Rule is invoked only if there is any financial or political crisis.
“Currently, there is neither a financial nor political crisis. Congress took the decision (of supporting NPP) to suit its political interest,” he said.
Chyne said the previous Executive Committee he led is intact since the NPP has not withdrawn its support from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
He pointed out that none of the executive members (EMs) of his Executive Committee had resigned.
“The question of any political crisis in the council does not arise,” he said.
Chyne said only a hung house leads to a political crisis and neither the NPP nor the UDP has the numbers to form the Executive Committee individually.
He refuted the claim of the NPP’s top leadership that it was unaware of the move to topple the council led by him. “I am sure the top leaders of the NPP had a hand in removing me as the CEM,” he said.
Replying to a query, Chyne said the onus is on the government to extend the term of the present house in case there is a new amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
He said the house would need to be extended since the number of seats would be increased to 40 following delimitation.
“The delimitation of the constituencies is an extensive exercise,” he added.
Meanwhile, the NPP’s Rambrai MDC, Bajop Pyngrope negated the allegation that he moved the no-confidence motion against Chyne because of the checking of his father-in-law, Paul Leong’s trading license.
“I did not interfere or call anyone when the council conducted an exercise to check the trading license,” he said.
He clarified that he moved the no-confidence motion because of the autocratic style of functioning of the former CEM.
“As the leader, we expected him to carry everyone along,” Pyngrope said.
He asserted that the NPP deserved to lead the Executive Committee since it has the most MDCs in the council.
“I am very happy that there is an NPP-led Executive Committee in all the Autonomous District Councils in the state,” he said.
Pyngrope declined to speculate on the possibility of the NPP ejecting the UDP from the MDA government. “I cannot comment as I am not an MLA,” he said.
