TMC of Meghalaya raises two motions at the GHADC regarding separate electoral rolls and B-Mahal

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• Jul 28, 2022 | Poonam Nath

The GHADC chairman turned down the motions following a vote in which 14 MDCs opposed the discussion. 

Digital Desk: Meghalaya TMC MDCs moved "two non-official motions" at today's GHADC session in South Tura. 

The first 'non-official motion' was moved by Alphonsus R. Marak, MDC of Williamnagar, to allow a discussion of matters on the Separate Electoral Roll (barring Non-Tribals from participating in GHADC Election). 

The second 'non-official motion' was moved by Sadhiarani M. Sangma, MDC from Dengnakpara and Cherak Momin, MDC from Kharkutta, to permit a conversation of the B-Mahal area in Garo Hills.

The MDCs raised the above motions collectively in their post-session press conference. The chairman of GHADC previously rejected the motions following a vote in which TMC Meghalaya MDCs supported the motion while 14 other MDCs opposed the discussion. Following the voting, the two non-official motions were removed from the session.

TMC Kharkutta MDC Cherak Momin stated that they have attempted to raise the B-Mahal land issue in GHADC sessions, but the NPP-led GHADC has repeatedly avoided it.

MDC Cherak Momin said, "They didn't listen to us when we asked for a good opportunity to discuss the B-Mahal land issue. Per our assumption, they want to do it secretly without getting all the stakeholders of the GHADC involved; that is why they are not giving us a chance to discuss it in the session."

TMC MDC Alphonsush R. Marak spoke to the media and affirmed the necessity of the motion during the session. Marak said, "We brought this motion because it is being demanded not only by the oppositions but also by the people living in every corner of the Garo Hills and the NGOs. In the previous election, the public and NGOs rallied and protested against the non-tribals participating in the GHADC. We had brought this motion for the benefit of the tribal people of Garo hills, but those people who were in the treasury branch of GHADC (NPP-led ruling ECs) didn't accept the motions brought by us." 

Additionally, he stated, "We, the opposition MDCs, have made these motions three times before; this is not the first time. They rejected our motions three times a row, so we had to leave the District council meeting."

MDC Alphonsush Marak also emphasised the laws outlined in the Indian Constitution, saying, "Elections for local bodies that the Chief Election Commission of India does not govern may be held under the 6th schedule of the Indian Constitution and may be governed by their own set of rules. The first batch of the elected members of the Autonomous District Council is supposed to set the rules for who can and cannot vote in the GHADC election, but this has not yet been done, as stated clearly on the first page of the sixth scheduled paragraph number 6 and sub number 2. We are extremely disappointed the ECs in power are doing nothing to violate these regulations."

Sadhiarani Sangma of Dengnakpara, Alphonsush R Marak of Williamnagar, Rinaldo K Sangma of Rongrong, Pardinand D Shira of Dama, Cherak W Momin of Kharkutta, Sanjay Koch of Betasing, Lahitson M Sangma of Samanda, and Agassi Marak of Balachanda were among the Meghalaya TMC MDCs present during the meeting.