SHILLONG, OCT 1: The United Democratic Party (UDP) and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) withdrew their support from the opposition conglomerate All Regional Parties Alliance (ARPA) in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) saying it has become “meaningless” as there is no unity among the partners.
But Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) has requested its coalition partners – UDP and KHNAM- to sit for another meeting before pulling out of ARPA.
The decision to pull out of ARPA was taken a day after all the four members including the ARPA chairman Metbah Lyngdoh tendered their resignations in view of the bill preventing holding of dual elected posts-MLA and MDC- passed by the state legislature that has become effective from today.
The four MLAs who submitted their resignations to the KHADC chairman on Wednesday are Sanbor Shullai (Laban, NCP), Metbah Lyngdoh (Mairang, UDP), HB Nongsiej (Mawthadraishan, UDP) and KP Pangniang (Rambrai Jyrngam, HSPDP).
“We have decided to withdraw our support from the ARPA immediately with effect from today,” UDP parliamentary party leader Teinwel Dkhar and KHNAM MDC James Ban Basaiawmoit told reporters after a meeting on Thursday.
They said, “The decision was taken after ARPA chairman Metbah Lyngdoh had tendered his resignation as a member of the KHADC without even informing the members of the coalition alliance.”
Expressing concerned over the sudden decision of the Lyngdoh, Dkhar and Basaiawmoit also said that he (Lyngdoh) should have at least convened a proper meeting of the ARPA before taken such a decision. Though it is his personal choice, but it is unfair to leave just like that without proper discussion about the future of the alliance.
“Yesterday, he (Lyngdoh) just called us to instead seek our views and opinions on matter related to the dual posts which I had told him that if you can, it is better you remain as the chairman of ARPA and MDC of the KHADC,” Dkhar informed.
Basaiawmoit said, “Another reason why we decided to quit from the alliance is because there has been a lot of division among members and one of the example is cases related to the MUDA encroachment as well as draft bill of the government to empower traditional headmen.”
.The two also said that pulling out of ARPA do not mean they will support the ruling People Democratic Front (PDF) and informed that the two parties will remain in the oppositions in the 30-member KHADC.
Meanwhile, HSPDP MDC Morning Mawsor informed that his party is yet to take a call on whether to continue or withdraw support from the ARPA.- By Our Reporter
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