Metbah withdraws after 2 MDCs switch allegiance
SHILLONG: In a dramatic turn of events, People’s Democratic Front (PDF) chairman Pynshngain N Syiem on Friday was elected unopposed as the 38th Chief Executive Member (CEM) of KHADC after ARPA candidate Metbah Lyngdoh withdrew from the race at the last minute.
The announcement regarding Syiem’s election was made by the KHADC chairperson Teilinia Thangkhiew during the Council’s special session held here on Friday.
Syiem, a Congress MDC from Mawsynram, will hold the post of CEM for a second time.
Metbah Lyngdoh, a UDP MDC from Mairang, was compelled to withdraw from the race after two Independent MDCs — James Sylliang (Mawhati) and Grace Mary Kharpuri (Nongshken) — shifted their allegiance to the PDF which reduced the ruling coalition -ARPA — into a minority.
This is not the first time the two MDCs shifted their allegiance from one camp to another.
The State governor KN Tripathi had earlier directed the District Council Affairs department to convene the special session after ARPA leader Adelbert Nongrum resigned from CEM’s post following withdrawal of support by two MDCs — James Sylliang and Grace Mary Kharpuri.
At present, in the 30-member House, the PDF has the support of 16 MDCs including two independents while ARPA has the strength of 13 MDCs (three KHNAM, five UDP and five HSPDP) minus the KHADC chairman.
Addressing the House after his election, the newly-elected CEM said that his immediate priority was to see the passing of the Village Administration Bill, 2015 and to improve the financial position of the Council.
“I am taking over at a time when there is a hue and cry over the High Court ruling derecognizing powers of traditional heads. As the CEM, I will try my level best to see the interest of the traditional institutions is well protected,” Syiem said.
He also stressed on the need to have a discussion with the State Government on the Village Administration Bill.
On the issue of improving financial position of the Council, Syiem said that it will not be a bad idea to have a financial consultant who can guide the Executive Committee (EC) to look at the new avenues for augmenting revenue collection.
The outgoing CEM Adelbert Nongrum, while congratulating his successor, emphasized that the members of the House should jointly ensure that the Village Administration Bill is passed by the State Government at the earliest.
