SHILLONG, Nov 28 - Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy today sent a clear message to the State Government not to interfere in the affairs of autonomous bodies like the district councils.
Roy, known for his outspoken nature, told the State Government that the district councils are autonomous bodies.
�KHADC is the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council. I have decided that the autonomous council must function autonomously without any meddling by the Government,� Roy stated.
The statement was made following the Governor�s refusal of the State Government�s recommendation to impose the Administrator�s Rule in the KHADC.
Observers said that the NPP-led Government�s decision to impose the Administrator's Rule is an act of vendetta as its alliance lost the confidence of the council and was reduced to a minority.
An Independent member of the council, Latiplang Kharkongor, was propelled as the chief executive member by the Congress along with other members. However, what invited the ire of the NPP-led State Government is that some of its members in the council voted against its own alliance and supported the Congress in a no-confidence motion. An upset NPP booted out PN Syiem, the chairman of the KHADC, as his vote was the deciding factor for the collapse of the alliance.
Since the loss of power in the council and Roy not agreeing to impose the Administrator�s Rule, the State Government has been giving out statements expressing its displeasure over the Governor�s action in a subtle manner. Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong recently said that the Governor should have consulted the people in authority before taking such a crucial decision to reject the Government�s recommendation.
�This is a democratic country and people are entitled to their opinions� was Roy�s terse answer when asked if his action would have a ripple effect on other district councils, as the State Government argues.
In a way, the Government has a point because after the NPP-UDP alliance was ousted in the KHADC, a similar development took place at the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, leading to the collapse of the NPP-led council there too. Meanwhile, the State Government has convened a special Cabinet meeting to deliberate on the Governor�s action. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had recently said that there was no tussle between the State Government and the Governor. However, there is indication that a crisis may be looming.
