Dhormonath Ch. Sangma was on Monday elected as the new Chief Executive Member of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) after securing the backing of 21 Members of District Council (MDCs), amid a series of political developments in the region.
Sangma, who represents Naguapra constituency, Meghalaya, assumed the top post following the resignation of former CEM Albinus R. Marak.
Marak stepped down just hours before a no-confidence motion against him was scheduled to be taken up in the council.
The move came after 21 MDCs from both the ruling and opposition benches met G. H. Vijayashankar, the Governor of Meghalaya, in Shillong on Saturday evening to seek action on the no-confidence motion.
Following the meeting, the state’s Council Affairs Department issued a notification allowing the motion to be moved against Marak.
However, before the matter could be formally debated in the council, Marak tendered his resignation, clearing the way for the formation of a new executive committee.
The leadership change comes in the backdrop of the postponement of the GHADC elections that were earlier scheduled for April 10, a report said.
The polls were deferred due to the prevailing law and order situation in the Garo Hills region.
Tensions had escalated after a notification issued by the former CEM made possession of a Scheduled Tribe certificate mandatory for candidates filing nominations for the council polls.
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The order was later challenged in the Meghalaya High Court, which quashed the directive, triggering protests by several organisations in the region.
In response to the unrest, the government decided to defer the elections to allow time for due process and to address the concerns raised by various groups.
Amid these developments, MDCs across party lines came together and eventually extended their support to Sangma, leading to his election as the new Chief Executive Member of the council.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma congratulated the new CEM on social media.
“Congratulations to Shri Dhormonath Ch. Sangma on being elected as the new Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC). Wish him the very best as he takes on this responsibility. May his leadership further strengthen the Council and contribute to the welfare and progress of our people in the region,” the chief minister wrote.
