UDP-led EC in KHADC falls in no-confidence vote

SHILLONG: The eight-month old United Democratic Party (UDP)-led United Democratic Alliance (UDA) executive committee (EC) in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) collapsed in a no-confidence vote Wednesday.

The no confidence motion was moved by the leader of Opposition Lamphrang Blah during the second day of the four-day winter session of the Council.

The opposition has accused the executive committee led by Teinwell Dkhar for failing in all fronts. The CEM and his executive members after trying their best to defend the executive committee requested the LO to withdraw the NC.

When the LO refused to withdraw the NC, the chairman of the Council Pynshngain N Syiem announced his ruling to put the NC to vote through secret ballot paper.

Raising objection, members of the ruling side demanded the chairman to conduct the voting by head count as per convention to which Syiem quoting the rules said that he will stick to the rules.

The chairman also turned down the demand of the ruling members that all members should write down their names and signatures in the ballot paper as he said, “I cannot go against the rule which clearly states that writing down names is not required.”

On counting the ballot papers, the ruling and the opposition got 14 each, which require the chairman to cast his vote to break the tie.

Before casting his vote, Pynshngain said that he would exercise his vote as per his conscious. Surprisingly, the chairman voted in support to the NC moved by the opposition, which won by 15 votes.

The chairman immediately announced that the EC led by Teinwell Dkhar has lost the confidence of the House.

He also declared that the election to the post of CEM will be held on November 22, and filing of nomination for the same will be held tomorrow (Thursday).