By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: A possible split in KHNAM is imminent as certain members are opposed to the move of merging with the UDP.
This latest development has come at a time when the merger of the two parties has reached its final stages. The merger is likely to take place within December.
It is learnt that out of the 18 members of the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), three are opposing this move.
The majority group is led by its president and lone legislator, Paul Lyngdoh while those opposed to the move are led by KHNAM secretary Pyndapbor Saiborne.
Apart from Saiborne, the two others who are opposed to this merger are its party MDC from Jaiaw Adelbert Nongrum and its senior party leader Mayo Suting.
Both Saiborne and Nongrum are among the prominent aspirants for contesting the upcoming 2013 Assembly elections.
With the merger, Saiborne might not be able to contest in the 2013 election since the ticket for Mawlai constituency (from which he had contested in the 2008 election) would be given to the UDP sitting MDC Embhah Syiemlieh.
Saiborne would also not be getting the opportunity to contest from Shella Constituency (which he had contested in the 2003 Assembly election) since UDP president and sitting MLA Dr Donkupar Roy is contesting from the constituency.
When contacted, KHNAM president Paul Lyngdoh confirmed that three members of the CEC are opposing this merger.
“In the democratic set up, I think the voice of the majority should prevail. I do not foresee any problem for the merger to happen. The merger is on track and there is no question of reneging from our decision,” Lyngdoh said after the CEC meeting on Wednesday night.
He also informed that the party’s General Council meeting would be held on November 26 to endorse the decision of the CEC to merge with the UDP.
Meanwhile, when contacted, KHNAM general secretary Pyndapbor Saiborne was not available for comments since his mobile was switched off.
