Shillong: In Meghalaya, the Congress has ended its support for the Executive Committee (EC) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), which is governed by the National People's Party (NPP). The Congress had joined the EC in June of last year, following the collapse of the EC led by the United Democratic Party.
However, given that a number of party leaders and employees had been advocating for this action, the party's decision to withdraw support was anticipated. Victor Rani, Ronnie V. Lyngdoh, and PN Syiem are the three Congress MDCs that stopped supporting the EC.
The NPP-led coalition still has the backing of 17 MDCs in the 30-member House in spite of this withdrawal. The NPP-led EC is still in the majority, according to Pyniaid Sing Syiem, the chief executive member of KHADC, who downplayed the significance of the Congress exit.
Pynshngainlang N. Syiem told media that the party had earlier chosen to collaborate with the KHADC NPP on key topics, such as the planned Sixth Schedule modification, in order to strengthen the established institutions.
Syiem praised the KHDF-led EC for accomplishing so much in such a short period of time and said, "We were able to achieve and address many issues that relate (to) traditional institutions, women and youth organizations, and the traditional clan system. Even in regards to the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule, just recently, we had met the Adviser of the Ministry of Home Affairs to discuss our suggestions. These are the reasons why we delay making a decision on withdrawing from the EC."
Additionally, the Congress leader expressed confidence that the party's decision to stop supporting the NPP will not affect its chances in the next KHADC elections. According to him, the party is prepared to serve on the opposition bench and contribute positively to the House in the event that the Congress is unable to secure a majority.
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