By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 24: Less than seven months after occupying the chair, Shemborlang Rynjah on Wednesday stepped down as the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) citing health reasons, leaving the council to function without an Executive Committee (EC).
Rynjah stepped down on health grounds after an emergent PP meeting, and later, submitted his resignation letter to the council’s chairman Strong Pillar Kharjana in the presence of party’s all MDCs.
Under Rule 21(2) of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951, once the CEM resigns, the other members of the EC automatically cease to hold office.
A new EC must then be formed as per Rule 20, which mandates that the CEM be elected by the District Council, while the other Executive Members are appointed by the Governor on the CEM’s advice.
When contacted, KHADC Chairman Strong Pillar Kharjana confirmed to The Shillong Times that the Council is technically without an EC.
“We will wait for the Governor’s advice on the next steps after accepting the resignation,” he said.
The Governor may also request Rynjah to serve as caretaker CEM until a successor is elected.
Kharjana informed that a special session of the Council will be convened on the Governor’s advice for the election of a new CEM, where candidates will be required to file nominations.
The VPP’s Parliamentary Party (PP) in the KHADC has left it to the party leadership to decide on the new CEM following the latest development.
Party MDC and Executive Member Powell Sohkhlet said it was difficult for them to accept the decision but it had to be respected in light of Rynjah’s health condition.
“There is no other reason which compelled him to resign. You may have seen that he has been unwell and his voice has become very weak,” Sohkhlet told reporters.
He said several MDCs had initially expressed strong reservations about Rynjah’s decision, acknowledging his leadership qualities, knowledge, punctuality, and efforts over the past six months to strengthen the council.
“No doubt, his decision has left a huge vacuum in the Executive Committee,” Sohkhlet said, expressing confidence that the VPP has capable leaders among its 17 MDCs to take up the CEM’s role. He stressed that the PP has placed full trust in the party leadership to make the final decision.
“Ever since the Executive Committee was formed, it is the party that decides who will assume the role of the CEM, Executive Members, or chairman. We will accept whoever the leadership entrusts with this responsibility and continue to work unitedly,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kharjana confirmed that he had received Rynjah’s resignation letter and accepted it. He described it as a “huge loss,” acknowledging Rynjah’s capacity as the CEM, but noted that the responsibility of choosing the successor now rests with the party.
Rynjah was unanimously elected as CEM after the VPP swept the KHADC polls in February, winning 17 out of the 29 seats.
