Our Special Correspondent
TURA:
Garo Hills Autonomous District Council member from Gasuapara, Sengchim N Sangma was elected as the Chairman of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) today. He was nominated by the National People’s Party along with its alliance partners to the post.
Of the total number of 30 votes, Sengchim Sangma bagged 18 votes to become the new chairman of the council.
Earlier, GHADC Deputy Chairman Albinush Marak resigned from his post following the resignation of the former CEM, Rakesh Sangma. Albinush is expected to become the new CEM of the Council. He represents the Siju-Rongara constituency.
The fight for the post of Chairman of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council did turn into a two-way battle with All India Trinamool Congress MDC from Rongrong, Rinaldo NK Sangma putting his hat in the nomination ring on March 3.
NPP candidate and Gasuapara MDC Sengchim N Sangma defeated Trinamool Congress candidate and Rongrong MDC Rinaldo K Sangma in a straight contest. With this victory, Sengchim took over as the 25th Chairman of the GHADC.
With one opposition member breaking ranks to vote in favour of the NPP candidate, as well the newly nominated MDC Aldo A Sangma from the ruling party exercising his franchise, the final tally of votes counted revealed the NPP alliance securing 18, a gain of two, while the opposition was reduced to 12, one vote less.
Meanwhile, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh chaired the session and conducted the election by secret ballot for which all 30 MDCs attended.
Among others who cast their vote included the only woman MDC Sadhiarani M Sangma of the Trinamool Congress, lone UDP MDC Ashahel D Shira as well as two non-tribal MDCs from the plain belt, namely Habibuz Zaman of Shyamnagar seat and Aktar Ali of Zikzak constituency.
Governor Satya Pal Malik on Tuesday had summoned the elected members of the district council, the 30 MDCs, for the election to the office of the chairman, the highest legislative head of the council on March 4. The West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh had conducted the election.
A first-time MDC, Sengchim defeated sitting MDC and heavyweight Devier M Sangma of the UDP in last year’s district council elections. The NPP candidate is a former student union leader from the region and a long-time loyalist of the party’s youth wing.