Conrad Sangma’s NPP to form new GHADC executive committee

Shillong: The National People’s Party (NPP) will stake claim to form the new executive committee for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), elections to which were held on April 12.

Chief Minister and NPP chief Conrad K Sangma, along with 15 elected members of the district council (MDCs) of GHADC, called on Governor Satyapal Malik at Raj Bhavan on Saturday to stake claim to form the new executive committee.

While the NPP failed to secure a majority in the GHADC polls and won 11 of the 29 seats, it has now got support from three independent candidates and Nikman Ch Marak from GNC, who won the Rongrikkimgre seat, to form the new executive committee.

The MDCs have grouped together as Garo Hills Democratic Coalition (GHDC) with 11 NPP MDCs, 3 independents and 1 GNC MDC.

NPP’s candidate to be the Chairman of the new executive committee in GHADC will be Rakesh A Sangma, while Chief Executive Member (CEM) will be Benedict Marak and Dy CEM will be Nikman Marak, the chief minister’s office said.

Even as the NPP stakes claim to form the new EC, tables can turn if the GNC MDC or one of the Independents were to change sides.

Even as the Congress has not issued any statement on the three independent MDCs, Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma had mentioned the party is in talks with them.

While the Garo Hills Democratic Coalition (GHDC) has elected Rakesh Sangma as their Chairman, it is yet to be seen if they get the mandate of the House in the GHADC.

The election for Chairman will be held on Monday.

Voting for the 29-seat autonomous council was held on April 12 across 409 polling stations with 182 candidates in the fray. The results were declared on April 15 in which none of the parties won a clear majority.

Congress emerged as the single largest part with 12 seats, NPP won 11, BJP won 2 seats, Independent candidates claimed victory in three seats and 1 seat was won by GNC.