Fresh trial of strength in KAAC likely

GUWAHATI, February 10: The State Government is likely to ask the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Majari Hanse, to face fresh trial of strength in view of the allegation of malpractice during the motion of confidence on February 6 last levelled by the Opposition group in the House led by former CEM Jotson Bey. The Jotson Bey group still claims to have support of 15 members in the present 29-member KAAC where one seat fell vacant after killing of sitting member JM Basumatary. Even after the defeat in February 6 no-confidence motion, the Jotson Bey group paraded 15 members before the Governor here to prove his majority in the Council and substantiate their allegation that CEM Majari Hanse-led group resorted to gross violation of norms to manipulate the results of secret voting on February 6. They alleged that after the voting in no-confidence motion against the chairman, the deputy chairman who conducted the motion, preferred to count the ballots by himself without maintaining any transparency. He then declared that one vote cast by a supporter of Jotson Bey group was cancelled while another member abstained. So the result came to 13-13 which facilitated the chairman to cast his vote and swing the result in his favour by 14-13.