TURA:
The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council has elected its youngest Chief Executive Member in 39-year-old Rakesh A Sangma of the NPP, who defeated Benedic R Marak in a straight contest on Monday.
A giant killer in last year’s GHADC elections, when he defeated heavyweight NCP president and three time sitting MLA Saleng A Sangma for the Babelapara MDC seat, Rakesh A Sangma won Monday’s CEM election obtaining the support of 15 MDCs against opposition-backed candidate Benedic R Marak who secured 13 votes.
This was the second defeat for the opposition Trinamool Congress-backed candidate, Benedic Marak, who had rebelled against his own party which sought his dismissal over allegations of funds misappropriation. The former CEM has denied the charges and claimed the central funds were used for salary disbursement.
Despite losing the no-confidence motion to the NPP on Saturday by a similar vote of 15-13, the ousted CEM went ahead and contested Monday’s election in a bid to return to the post. The results went against him for a second time in two days.
Voting was conducted by Deputy Chairman Albinush Marak through a secret ballot and all 29 elected MDCs attended the special session to cast their vote. While 28 votes were cast, the deputy chairman did not vote since his vote can be taken only in the event of a tie.
BJP goes with Trinamool
Though the BJP is an ally of the NPP in the state government, yet, when it came to the GHADC both BJP MDCs went on the side of the Trinamool Congress-backed candidate.
BJP MDCs Bernard N Marak of Tura and Promod Koch of Barengapara voted in favour of the ousted CEM.
Rebel Trinamool MDCs swing victory for NPP
Three former opposition MDCs, Trinamool Congress MDCs Stevie Marak of Boldamgre (Ampati) and Habibuz Zaman of Shyamnagar (Phulbari) along with UDP MDC from Balachanda (Rajabala) Ashahel D Shira played a crucial role in Rakesh A Sangma’s victory.
The trio’s vote was crucial for the NPP after Benedic Marak walked away with another NPP MDC Dhormonath Ch Sangma of Naguapara towards the opposition Trinamool Congress camp.
The exit of the duo reduced the NPP number to 9 MDCs.
GNC and 3 Independents vote for NPP
Lone Garo National Council MDC(GNC) and deputy CEM Nikman Ch Marak along with three Independents- Natuwal Marak, Aktar Ali and Arbinstone Marak also remained with the NPP camp consolidating their numbers to ensure a clear win for Rakesh A Sangma.
‘Staff salary disbursement priority’
New GHADC CEM Rakesh A Sangma said that ensuring the progress of the GHADC and disbursement of salaries of its employees which are pending for many months will be a top priority of his Executive Committee.
Speaking to The Meghalayan shortly after his victory in the CEM election, he said, “It is my duty to ensure the smooth function and progress of our district council. It is also my top priority to clear the pending salaries of our employees who have not been paid for so many months,” said CEM Rakesh A Sangma.
His first official duty on taking charge as CEM was to hold a high level meeting with all the council officers at his chamber on Monday afternoon.
“I have told my officers that we all need to work unitedly for the good of the district council and Garo Hills. I also informed them that four months of pending salary will be released within February because this is the time for children’s admission in schools and colleges,” announced the new CEM.
The CEM is heading to Shillong with his MDCs on Tuesday to meet with the NPP high command and discuss the potential candidates for the posts of Executive Members in his new Executive Committee.