DIPHU, March 2 - The Hill State Demand Council (HSDC), the regional party of Karbi Anglong, has appealed to the Gauhati High Court to reconsider its verdict on holding of KAAC election.
In a press conference held here on Wednesday at HSDC central committee office, propaganda secretary of the party Daniel Teron said that in January last, three leaders including Semion Rongphar, president, KSA; Laichan Engleng and Dr Mongve Rongpi, Convenors, Students & Youth Council approached the Gauhati High Court and filed a petition demanding holding of KAAC elections in Karbi Anglong. The court on Wednesday gave its verdict. But the court in its verdict has not mentioned a specific date and time for the conduct of election and it said that election should be conducted within six months of extension period.
The term of KAAC has already expired on January 13 last and as per the 6th Schedule of the Constitution, election should be held on expiry of the term. The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council in Karbi Anglong district is the oldest 6th Schedule Council in the nation, the HSDC leader said.
Teron further said that the term of the KAAC ended in January last but the present Executive Committee of the Council led by CEM Tuliram Ronghang, who changed his loyalty from Congress to BJP recently has extended the term of the Council by six months after getting Governor�s consent.
�Since there is no emergency-like situation here nor has there been any disaster, it is feasible to hold election now. There was an instance during Dr Jayanta Rongpi�s tenure as CEM, when the term of the Council was extended. This was unlawful and the KSA had filed a petition in the Gauhati High Court at that time too,� Teron added. The HSDC leader alleged that the State BJP is not interested to hold election on time only to fulfil its ambition and derive benefits.
While briefing reporters, Hemsing Tisso, former MLA, said that by extending the term of the Council the BJP in Karbi Anglong is violating the Constitution and doing injustice to the voters of the district. There are instances when people have even challenged the verdict of the Supreme Court.
It may be mentioned here that the HSDC has threatened to launch a vigorous mass movement and approach the Supreme Court if its demands are not fulfilled.
