UDP senior member Teinwell Dkhar elected as new KHADC chairman

SHILLONG, JULY 24: Three-time United Democratic Party (UDP) member from Shella Teinwell Dkhar was today elected as the new Chairman of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) after defeating opposition candidate by 17-10 votes.

After counting of votes during the election to the post held here on Tuesday, Pro-tem chairman Teilinia S Thangkhiew announced that Dkhar has been elected as the new Council’s Chairman by securing 17 votes.

Dkhar, also the parliamentary party leader of the UDP, was the candidate of the ruling Khasi Hills Democratic Alliance (KHDA) led by the NPP MDC from Nongkrem HS Shylla.

The KHDA comprises of the 5 National People’s Party (NPP), 4 UDP, 3 People’s Democratic Front (PDF), 3 Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP), 1 Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) and 1 Independent.

Though the opposition bench is having the strength of 12 members, People’s Democratic Front (PDF) member from Mawkyrwat Hadrian Lyngdoh however could get only 10 votes due to non-participation of two members which include PDF chairman Pynshngainlang N Syiem.

Before the start of the election, PDF member from Nongskhen Grace Mary Kharpuri, who was present in the House, staged a walkout after she decided to refrain from voting in protest against the pro-tem chairman.

She cited that it was “sub judice” on the part of the pro-tem chairman to conduct the election to the post of Chairman since she was part of the case with regards to the petition filed against the manner in which the election to the CEM post was conducted on July 13.

Earlier, the opposition People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) which includes 8 PDF MDCs and 4 Congress MDCs, have abstained from participating in both the recently held elections to the post of CEM and Deputy Chairman.

The election was held following the recent resignation of former KHADC chairman and PDF member from Nongstoin Goodleaderson Nongsiej from the post.

Interestingly during the felicitation of the new chairman of the Council, the opposition members also congratulated the newly elected KHADC chief Hispreaching Son Shylla and deputy chairman Equator Nongrang.

Addressing the House, the newly elected chairman assured to try his best to perform the duty of the chair as per rule and without partiality in the interest of the members and the Council as a whole.

“Though my name Tein, if translated into pnar language means ‘fear’ but I can assure you that I will perform my duty without fear,” he said.

In his speech, Shylla urged the newly elected chairman to be neutral while conducting the proceedings of the House.

“We feel lucky to have somebody like Dkhar, who is a seasoned political leader, to take over the chair. Even though if you are from the ruling side, you are expected to be neutral and preside over the House as per the AD Rules,” he said.

The KHADC chief also informed the House that the new executive committee will take steps to further strengthen the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) 1951.

Asserting the need to have anti-defection law in the district council to prevent defection of members from one political party to another, Shylla however said at present, there is no provision which allows the district council to introduce such law.

“However, we are making a move to bring anti-defection law in the district council which will be in line with the 10^th Schedule of the Constitution of India,” he said.

Participating in the felicitation ceremony, Opposition Congress MDC from Mawlai Process T Sawkmie pointed out that the Shella constituency has been blessed since its MLA is a Speaker in the state Assembly while its MDC is now elected as the Chairman of the KHADC.

He also congratulated Shylla and urged the newly formed executive committee to seriously take up the issue relating to the building byelaws and also to ensure that no NOC should be granted for the construction of the railway project under the jurisdiction of the Council.

Surprisingly, Sawkmie also informed the House that the Congress is in the opposition but not part of the PDF-led People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA). “Our PP leader (Lamphrang Blah) will officially submit a letter to you (chairman) on this regard,” he added.

Earlier, two ministers of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, who are also member of district council, were among those participated in the election to the chairman’s post.

While HSPDP member, Samlin Malngiang, also PHE minister, is supporting the ruling alliance in the KHADC, PDF member Banteidor Lyngdoh, also Sports and Youth Affairs minister on the other hand belongs to the opposition bench in the 29-member House.

By Our Reporter