Regional combine beats mighty Congress

SHILLONG, FEB 27: Even as the Congress has emerged as the single largest party by bagging ten of the twenty-nine seats in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) but the regional parties combine – United Democratic Party (UDP), Hills State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM)- has bagged seventeen seats and are likely to form the next KHADC’s Executive Committee if they are serious to keep the Congress away from power. The HSPDP did very well to clinch seven seats followed closely by the UDP with six and KHNAM got four seats. The NCP and an Independent got one seats each. The three regional parties combine has seventeen seats between them and can comfortably keep the Congress from forming the next EC in KHADC. If the promises made by the regional political parties before the KHADC elections for forming a regional parties post poll alliance is kept then it goes without saying that these parties will form the EC. However with the absence of the anti-defection act in the District Council, one can never be sure of the ultimate outcome on who is going to form the EC as the Congress will certainly try its best to play spoilsport and indulge in horse-trading.

If the regional political parties breaks its promises then forming a non-Congress led EM might not look as easy as it might appear to be because of the results. In this KHADC elections, the HSPDP did quite well to win as many as seven seats upstaging the main regional party of the state UDP. HSPDP vice president Ardent B Basaiawmoit told reporters after the result, “The party would sit to decide its strategy on the formation of the next EC of KHADC.” Basaiawmoit defeated his Congress rival and sitting MDC from Nongkrem Lambor Malngiang by a margin of over 300 votes. Basaiawmoit stressed the need for the regional parties to unit so that they can strengthen the district council’s functioning and work as per the provisions provided under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India. On the political speculating doing the round that he is being projected as the new KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM), Basaiawmoit said that he is of the opinion that it is time for the district council to have a leader who is capable to lead and take up the responsibility without concentrating too much on the chair.

Basaiawmoit said, “The district council is a platform where we can protect and preserve our indigenous people and their land.” Commenting on the party’s victory, Basaiawmoit , “This shows that the people have turn their eyes and have confident on the leadership of the party. It is love and faith of the people who without any money power have given their mandate to the party.” KHNAM vice president Adelberth Nongrum who won for the second time from Jaiaw constituency said that the party is firm on its stand that a non-Congress EC should be form in the district council.” Nongrum said that the party is not power hunger and it will stand on its commitment towards taking up issues that concerns the tribal’s welfare and interest including the demand for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit in the state. Earlier, the UDP president Donkupar Roy had stated that the party has decided not to align with the Congress party and will instead seek for a post poll alliance with the other regional parties to form the new EC in KHADC.- By Our Reporter