Meghalaya: Despite UDA gaining upper hand, Govt still wants Admin Rule in KHADC
SHILLONG | Dec 27:
The NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) has maintained that they will prefer the imposition of Administrator's Rule (AR) in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) even after the United Democratic Alliance or UDA has regained majority in the Council.
"Our stand is very clear that AR should be imposed in the KHADC whatever may be the case. We know there is a change in the political equation in the Council. But the Government cannot tolerate the irresponsibility of the MDCs by changing sides from one group to another just to suit their political interest," Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong stated here today.
According to him, the decision to impose AR was taken in the best interest of the Council. "The Governor should take over the administration of the Council till such time when the Government feels that the situation is back to normal," Deputy Chief Minister said.
He further said that there should not be any doubts in the minds of the people that the Government is taking sides on this issue.
Tynsong further said that the State Government hopes that the Governor would impose AR in the Council at the earliest.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister said that the KHADC MDCs will now need the signature of at least 20 MDCs to urge upon the Governor to convene the special session to elect the new Chief Executive Member.
When asked about the present CEM, Latiplang Kharkongor, he said that the State Government does not recognize Kharkongor as the CEM. "The Government is yet to notify the election of Kharkongor as the CEM. The KHADC at present does not have a CEM," Tynsong said.
It may be mentioned that the State Government, for the second time, had recommended imposition of AR in the KHADC. The State Government had earlier recommended for invoking of Administrator Rule after the UDP-led United Democratic Alliance (UDA) was toppled after five members of the ruling alliance voted in favour of the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition Congress. The Governor, however, declined to invoke the Administrator's Rule.
At present, in the House of 29, the United Democratic Alliance has the support of 16 MDCs with the recent joining of independent MDC from Nongshken constituency, Grace Mary Kharpuri and Congress MDC from Mairang-Nongkhlaw, Batskhem Ryntathiang to the alliance.
The strength of United Democratic Front (UDF) had been reduced to 12 minus the chairman of the Council. It may be mentioned that this is the second time that the State Government had recommended for imposition of Administrator Rule's in the KHADC.
