By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 4: The National People’s Party (NPP) has admitted that it will face a major challenge over the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) salary crisis in the upcoming GHADC elections scheduled for next year.
NPP state working president in charge of Garo Hills, Marcuise Marak, said that while the party acknowledges the challenge, the financial crisis in the GHADC is a legacy issue created by successive Executive Committees (ECs), which was inherited by the NPP-led EC.
The financial crisis has even reached the doors of the Governor, as various political parties have sought government intervention over the non-payment of salaries to GHADC employees for over 42 months.
Admitting that anti-incumbency sentiments against the NPP in GHADC are likely, Marak, however, said the outcome of the election will largely depend on the selection of candidates by the respective parties. Pointing out that many GHADC-related issues will be raised during the polls, he stated that the party will need to work hard to strengthen the Council and convince the people to place their trust in the NPP.
It may be mentioned that the party has already begun groundwork for the elections, forming a regional committee and instructing party leaders to identify both potential NPP candidates and probable candidates from Opposition parties.
When asked about speculations regarding his possible removal from the state cabinet, Marak reiterated that such decisions lie entirely with the chief minister and said he is ready to take on any responsibility assigned to him.
