SHILLONG, SEPT 9: Notwithstanding its coalition partner United Democratic Party (UDP) demand for change of its leadership, the Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) decided that Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit will continue as the parliamentary party leader and Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC chief executive member as it did find not any plausible reasons change him.
HSPDP joint secretary Witting Mawsor told reporters after the party’s meeting on Tuesday evening. “We have unanimously decided that Basaiawmoit will continue as the CEM of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and leader of parliamentary party,”
The decision of the HSPDP came after its coalition partner in KHADC UDP demanded immediate change in the leadership of All Regional Parties Alliance (ARPA), which is a conglomerate of the HSPDP, UDP and KHNAM in the KHADC.
UDP has expressed strong resentment over the style of functioning of Basaiawmoit as the CEM of KHADC.
“After a thorough examination of the pros and cons of the complaint, we cannot find any valid reasons to remove Basaiawmoit,” Mawsor said. He said the party found that Basaiawmoit has not committed anything that will affect the functioning of the council and the relationship of three coalition partners nor have he misused his office.
Earlier, the UDP had said that it will continue to support the ARPA till the end of its term, but later it demanded that the HSPDP change its leader.
Stating that the party respects the decision of the UDP, Mawsor, however, said, “We would urge the UDP not to break its commitment made to ensure that ARPA last till the end of its term.” He said the HSPDP would also send an official communication to the president of the UDP Donkupar Roy on the decision of this meeting.
Sources, however, informed that the UDP is likely to withdraw its support from the ARPA if the HSPDP fails to remove Basaiawmoit as the leader.
Reacting to such an eventuality, Mawsor said, “We will wait, let the time comes.” Answering a query on whether the UDP unhappiness with Basaiawmoit stem from the distribution of portfolios allotted to them, the HSPDP leader said, “Well, they (UDP) have been equal posts in the ministry and it is up to them how to handle and carry them.”
Meanwhile, Basaiawmoit maintained that there is no move for reshuffling his executive committee. He said, “The reason behind the demand of the UDP was relating to the style of functioning and not about portfolios. So the question of reshuffling the portfolios does not arise.”
Basaiawmoit said that as a person, he can never claim that he is perfect but will always try to do what is best for everybody both for the council and ARPA as a whole. He also said that surprisingly at the end of the three meetings held to discuss the issue, UDP had never complaint of dissatisfaction. He, however said, “I will try and introspect and am willing to listen and welcome the advices or suggestions from any quarters for the better and interest of the council.”
Basaiawmoit also reminded that there was no condition (mandatory of support till the end) fixed for any of the three coalition partners – HSPDP, UDP and KHNAM during the formation of ARPA.- By Our Reporter
I am very happy with the decision of the HSPDP-Let the UDP decide its fate. I am hopeful the HSPDP and the KHNAM will emerge victorious if there is re-election. The UDP will be reduced to a low number of winner as in the case of the last assembly election. I feel the party will decline gradually because of the style of its functioning and its idealogy.
LONG LIVE HSPDP!