Shillong: The defection of two former United Democratic Party members to the BJP has left the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council in a bind. Langrin MDC Pius Marwein and Sohiong MDC Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah, who both hold MLA seats, crossed the aisle alongside six other former UDP legislators. This mass exit highlights the complete lack of an anti-defection law within the council.
Tensions flared during the recent winter session. Council Chairman Strong Pillar Kharjana and Chief Executive Member Winston Tony Lyngdoh clashed with Marwein over his political loyalties. Lyngdoh labeled Marwein a BJP legislator while still holding his UDP MDC seat. Kharjana demanded to know why Marwein failed to notify the council of his party switch.
Marwein pushed back hard. He argued that current council rules impose no requirement to declare affiliations. The absence of a Tenth Schedule means party hopping carries no penalty. Marwein stated, “Till today, there is no Tenth Schedule in the district council. There is no anti-defection law, meaning we can go to any party.”
The dispute started over local revenue issues. Marwein accused the Executive Committee of mismanagement regarding non-functioning collection gates at Bakli and Borsora. Lyngdoh denied receiving complaints about these gates. That sparked the argument over party labels. The Gauhati High Court previously struck down the 2003 attempt to implement an anti-defection law in the council. Without a new legal framework, MDCs remain free to change allegiances without fear of disqualification.
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