SHILLONG: All the 16 MDCs, including chairman Boston Marak who claimed majority to form the next Executive Committee, had filed individual affidavits along with the support letter addressed to the Government that led the Cabinet to recommend withdrawal of administrator’s rule in the GHADC.
District Council Affairs Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters on Friday that it was after getting the letter of support along with the affidavits that the Cabinet decided to recommend withdrawal of administrator’s rule in the GHADC on June 15.
The filing of affidavits sworn before the magistrate assumes significance as it was aimed at keeping the MDCs united since there is no anti-defection law in the Council.
However, the governor recently rejected the proposal of the Cabinet to withdraw the administrator’s rule by observing that Boston, who is projected as the CEM, should resign from the current post.
The State Government, quoting the district council rules, said that the chairman would resign only before he files the nomination for the election of CEM or he can also continue as chairman if he does not wish to become the next CEM.
Since the governor had rejected the proposal of the Government, the latter is exploring legal options on the GHADC following the stalemate over the formation of new Executive Committee.
Tynsong said the intention of the government was to install a popular Executive Committee irrespective of party affiliations.
He also said that during the emergency Cabinet meeting on March 31 night after the collapse of the Executive Committee led by NPP’s Denang Sangma, the stand of the Cabinet was to go for fresh election of the CEM, but later administrator’s rule was imposed since there was no favourable response from Raj Bhavan.
Govt seeks KHADC proceedings
As far as the KHADC is concerned, Tynsong said besides seeking the proceedings of the Council during the no-confidence motion, the government is also consulting legal experts to discuss the manner in which the chairman conducted the session on June 22.
The 12 members of the opposition had staged a walkout after moving the no-confidence motion against the EC led by KHADC CEM P.N Syiem.
