By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, APR 18: KHADC chief Pynshngain N Syiem today accused the United Democratic Party (UDP) of feeling threatened by the members of coalition partners of the ruling PDF who will be contesting against its leaders in the upcoming 2018 state elections.
“The decision to withdraw support to the PDF is a political agenda of the UDP because many of the MDCs in the ruling will give a tough fight to its leaders in 2018,” Syiem told reporters at a news conference held here on Tuesday.
This came a day after the central executive committee (CEC) of the UDP has asked it’s six MDCs to pull out from the ruling People Democratic Forum (PDF) led by the Congress suspended member for its alleged involvement in corruption practices.
He said that the lone BJP MDC Neil Antonio War will be contesting against UDP senior working president Bindo M Lanong from East Shillong constituency, Independent MDC Latiplang Kharkongor against UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh from Nongthymmai constituency and Independent MDC Bantei Lyngdoh against sitting MLA Remington Pyngrope from Mawkynrew constituency.
“Because of this threat, the UDP by withdrawing support on baseless ground of corruption aims at weakening the ruling PDF and it’s members for their own benefits,” Syiem said.
Asked, he however refused to give a direct reply on the political party these MDCs in the ruling PDF are proposing to contest in 2018 and said, “It can be from any political parties.”
Further accusing the UDP of being “politically corrupted”, Syiem said, “To say that it is because of issue related to misappropriation of funds is just an excuse but is a political agenda to mislead the people.”
According to him, the present executive committee had already taken the matter seriously by constituting the magisterial inquiry and House Committee which is now pending for investigation and action by the police.
The PDF chairman further claimed that there is no unanimity among the MDCs of the UDP on the issue because they are aware that there is no corruption in the present EC.
“We are one on issues and not on leadership. If the Tenth Schedule cannot apply in the district council then I don’t think that the party direction or CEC decision also cannot apply to MDCs,” he said.
Stating that he is yet to receive any official communication on the decision of the UDP, Syiem however said that he would not drop them (UDP MDC) from the EC since he had invited them to work with the PDF.
“My job is to respect them and the relationship we had all this while,” he said.
On the other hand, the KHADC chief also lambasted the UDP for its immature attitude despite being the biggest regional political party in the state.
He said that the issue of withdrawal of support was not raised by the UDP MDCs but by its MLAs.
“Is Bindo going to contest the MLA or MDC elections. What was seen is that the UDP MLAs are more busy on issues relating to the KHADC. In fact it’s their MDCs who should have withdraw their support had there really was corruption in the EC,” he said.
Meanwhile, Syiem claimed that his EC is still intact and ruled out any possibility for Administrator’s Rule (AR) in the KHADC.
“Though the UDP wanted AR but it is far away since there is no crisis in the KHADC and an EC can only be removed by a No confidence motion,” he said.
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