Nongrum exits, PN Syiem enters as CEM

SHILLONG, MAY 15: Following the resignation of ARPA led executive committee leader and KHADC CEM Adelbert Nongrum from the post, Congress leader and chairman of the People’s Democratic Forum (PDF) Pynshngain N Syiem was elected for the second time as CEM of KHADC on Friday.

Syiem was elected ‘uncontested’ as the KHADC CEM.

Syiem was declared elected as the new CEM uncontested by the KHADC chairperson Teilinia Thangkhiew during a special session held on Friday.

ARPA leader Metbah Lyngdoh who was bracing to contest against Syiem for the CEM post withdrew his nominations.

Meghalaya governor had directed the district council affairs department to convene the special session ARP leader and KHADC CEM Adelbert Nongrum resigned following withdraw of support by two of the MDCs.

The fourteen-month old ARPA, a coalition alliance of three regional parties the HSPDP, UDP and KHNAM, caved in to the political uncertainty in KHADC after  two Independent MDCs – James Sylliang and Grace Mary Kharpuri- withdrew their support reducing its strength to only 14.

With the support of the two MDCs, the Congress led PDF alliance now has 16 MDCs in a 30 members council. This includes 12 Congress MDCs, 3 Independent MDCs and one NCP MDC.

Speaking during the felicitation ceremony, newly elected CEM PN Syiem sought the support of the ARPA, now an opposition, in issues concerning the interest of the indigenous community.

“It is a very tough time for me as I was given this responsibility at a time when the indigenous community is going through huge crisis. Therefore, I seek the support of everybody including ARPA as working together is the only way that the KHADC can overcome and resolve such challenges,” Syiem said.

Appealing to all members to put aside their party affiliation, Syiem said, “We need to work together in as far as the Village Administration Bill, pending with the government and also the crisis arising out of the NGT order to ban coal mining which has also made the financial position of the District Council weak.”

Syiem also assured the house that the present Executive Committee led by the PDF will continue to pursue the matter relating the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule.

Syiemn said that KHADC will have to pursue this matter with the centre as well as the state government for so that a clear picture emerge by demarcating some of the issues which requires to be exempted from the Para 12 (a) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. – By Our Reporter