TURA, Jan 31: The National People’s Party-led coalition on Monday won the vote for the position of Chief Executive Member (CEM) 15-13 with the deputy chairman, Albinush Marak not required to vote.
Rakesh Sangma is now set to lead the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) after defeating the former CEM, Benedic R. Marak.
Marak was on January 29 ousted as CEM of the NPP-led coalition after many of his former MDCs quit the Executive Council in a show of protest against what they termed as highhandedness.
Nine EC members had quit while three chairpersons were removed by Marak.
Marak was supported in his bid on Monday by nine MDCs of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), two of the BJP and close aide Dhormonath Sangma. The NPP-led coalition was able to pull through after the defection of AITC’s Stevie Marak (Boldamgre) and Shyamnagar’s Habibuz Zaman.
Rakesh Sangma was also supported by three independent MDCs and the United Democratic Party’s Ashahel D. Shira.
Benedic wins hearts
despite defeat
Marak may have lost the CEM vote, but the greetings he received soon after his defeat made his popularity with the employees apparent.
Moments after he emerged from the session hall post-vote, the employees wished him well and bid him adieu as the CEM. Dozens of employees, both male and female, gathered at the rear entrance of the GHADC main building to shake his hand.
Marak was accompanied by Tura MDC Bernard Rimpu N. Marak and Dengnakpara MDC Sadhiarani M. Sangma. Bernard, Sadhiarani and 11 other MDCs had voted in his favour.
Protest over Rakesh’s
appointment
Rakesh Sangma’s victory has not gone down well with many NGOs and GHADC employees announcing a protest over the development.
The NGOs, including the GSU, FKJGP, ADE, AYWO, FAF, NTDF, TSCF, GGU, NESO and NGEA, have decided to voice their displeasure as well as seek a reversal of Marak’s ousting.
The employees have decided to start their protest with a pen-down strike on February 1 and 2.
The NGOs said they would launch a more vigorous agitation from February 3 for preventing Rakesh Sangma from taking charge as the CEM.
