SHILLONG, Nov 25 - The National People�s Party (NPP) has showed the exit door to KHADC chairman Pynshngain N Syiem for �anti-party activities�, after holding him accountable for the collapse of the party�s alliance at the district council.
The NPP�s disciplinary committee in its meeting on Sunday evening expelled Syiem from the party. Syiem as chairman (equivalent to Speaker in a Legislative Assembly) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) voted against the NPP-United Democratic Party combine during a no-confidence motion.
The no-confidence motion was moved by the Opposition Congress and was tied 14 each between the treasury and the opposition after the secret ballot. Syiem then cast his deciding vote against the party he represents, leading to the collapse of the UDP-NPP alliance.
Apart from Syiem, two other NPP members voted in favour of the Congress during the no-confidence motion. The NPP, however, is yet to take a decision against the duo.
Syiem on Monday defended his move, saying his action was based on his �conscience and sentiments of the public�. He lashed out at the UDP-NPP coalition, stating that the alliance was not shouldering its responsibility meaningfully.
The KHADC chairman said it was the duty of the members of the council not to be mere spectators and always act according to the party line, but �work to protect the sentiments of the people on different issues�.
Questioning the hurried manner in which the NPP expelled him from the party, Syiem said he should have been given an opportunity to explain his position. �The party should have issued a show-cause notice to explain my position. But the party has hurriedly taken the decision to expel me,� he said.
Syiem, however, seems confident of finding another party to continue his position in the Council. �Many parties have approached me to join, but I will take some time before taking the final decision,� he added.
As chairman of the KHADC, Syiem also validated the election of Independent member from Nongthymmai, Latiplang Kharkongor, as the Chief Executive Member of the Council backed by the Congress.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy on Monday directed the state government to notify Kharkongor as the new CEM of the KHADC. This was done after Roy rejected the state government�s recommendation to impose Administrator�s Rule in the Council.
