SHILLONG: LG Nongsiej is set to become the new Chairman of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) with the People’s Democratic Forum coalition proposing his name for the election to be held on Saturday and the opposition not fielding any candidate.
Nongsiej, who has decided to stand as an Independent, had extended support to the People’s Democratic Forum (PDF) led by the Council’s CEM PN Syiem.
Earlier on Friday, the meeting of the ruling PDF in the KHADC proposed the name of Nongsiej as its candidate and he filed his nomination thereafter. The Congress has not fielded any candidate.
The time fixed for filing nomination was till 12 pm on Friday.
Addressing reporters after the PDF meeting, Syiem said, “For the election of Chairman, the proposers are Latiplang Kharkongor and James Ban Basaiawmoit. The seconders are Victor Rani and Donkupar Sumer. The decision was taken in consultation with the MDCs during the PDF meeting.”
On Nongsiej, Syiem said the former executive member has “vast experience in running the house”.
The Governor on Thursday authorised KHADC Secretary A. Shangpliang to chair the special session for electing the new chairman on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Nongsiej said he accepted the decision of the PDF and that he would take up issues for the betterment of the legislative.
When asked whether he would take the role of chairman as an MDC of HSPDP following his suspension from the party that is in the opposition, Nongsiej said, “It is nothing new. Morning Mawsor and I were suspended from the party. However, I will try to talk with my fellow MDC friends to work together. After my removal from the party and till date I stand as an Independent MDC and I have not joined any party yet.”
However, he added that he came to know about the suspension from media reports but did not receive any official communication from the party. “We are outside the party fold now, which means that I am to be taken as Independent.”
When contacted, former Deputy CEM PT Sawkmie, who recently resigned from the PDF coalition, said the party did not field any candidate due to time constraint. “Moreover, we have only five members and it is pointless to file. The time was also too short,” Sawkmie said.
