Agartala, May 30: A nine-member executive council of the Autonomous District Council, headed by Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) vice-president Debabrata Koloi, was today sworn in at the council house in Khumlung, 25 km from here.
State law secretary Alak Bandhu Paul was present on the occasion on behalf of Governor Lt. Gen. Krishna Mohan Seth. The nine Left Front members boycotted the ceremony in protest against the shuffle.
Debabrata Koloi took over as the chief executive member, while Sridam Debbarma, Benoy Debbarma, Mohan Debbarma, Krishna Kanta Jamatya, Mulukchand Debbarma, L.B. Darlong, Ramani Debbarma and Bidyut Debbarma were sworn in as executive members.
The strength of the executive council has been raised to nine from seven, including the chief executive member in the earlier council. The change of guard has triggered immense infighting within the council.
The council assembled at 11 am with chairman Hirendra Kumar Tripura announcing the formal commencement of the special session with the election of the new chief executive member on the agenda.
However, the nine members of the Left Front, headed by leader of the Opposition in the ADC Radhacharan Tripura, described the process as a meaningless exercise and a ?sheer waste of time and money?.
Castigating the INPT for continuing the aimless reshuffle of the council over the past three years, Radhacharan Debbarma said the Left Front would not be a party to the change and walked out along with the other Front members.
Debbarma later told newspersons that the banned National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) rebels had brought about the change of guard in the ADC by putting pressure on its political front, the INPT.
Former chief executive member Kripamohan Reang proposed the name of Debabrata Koloi, which was unanimously accepted. The swearing-in ceremony was held in the second half of the session. The law secretary administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly-elected team.