Extending GHADC term, a wishful thinking of Sangma: NPP

Hitting out at Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma for extending the term of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), the opposition National People's Party (NPP) today said it was the "wishful thinking of the Chief Minister."
The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), whose extended term expired on August 17, was put under Administrator's Rule as the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule including increasing the strength of the ADCs, was pending with the Centre.
"Whatever Chief Minister Mukul Sangma is saying may be is his wishful thinking as whatever he is saying is not the rule of law," NPP spokesperson James K Sangma today said.

"The increase in the number of seats is a constitutional matter and the Sixth Schedule has to be amended by the Parliament for that," he said.
The Chief Minister had said the term of the GHADC was extended because it was waiting for the Centre to implement the provisions of the Peace Pact signed with the militants groups ANVC and ANVC-B on increasing the number of seats.
"It is been two years the CM had been saying the number of seats are going to be increased... When it is not in his purview," the NPP leader said.

On the poll scheduled in October later this year, the NPP said they were open to pre-poll alliance with like-minded parties and individuals.

"Discussion and negotiations are taking place and we are confident that within this week we will be able to close to a decision," NPP working president Conrad Sangma told reporters after party meeting here today.
"We have received more than 70 applicants and the party will be meeting in the last week of this month to finalise the list of candidates," he said.
Welcoming the decision of the United Democratic Party (UDP) to contest all seats, Sangma said "Being partners, we are trying to figure out if there are any ways we can work together, but are open to all options."

Elections to the 29 seats of the GHADC would be held on October 12, while the date of counting was October 15.