By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: As expected, the UDP has suspended its firebrand legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit for ‘anti-party activities’.
The party parliamentary board which met on Wednesday took the decision against Basaiawmoit even as he was asked to reply within a week why he should not be expelled from the party.
“We have put Basaiawmoit under suspension. We have also intimated him officially with a notice as to why he should not be expelled from the party,” UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh told reporters after the party’s parliamentary board meeting.
“As a matter of formality Basaiawmoit is given an opportunity to defend himself,” Lyngdoh said.
Basaiawmoit, who represents Nongkrem constituency in East Khasi Hills district, has been the most vocal MLA against the government and also against his own party.
Referring to alleged anti-party activities of a senior leader from Mawthadraishan JC Diengngan, Lyngdoh said that Parliamentary Board (PB) can not take any decision in this regard since “The PB deals with the matters concerning the MLAs only.”
According to him, the UDP’s West Khasi Hills unit has been directed to take necessary action against Diengngan as per the constitution of the party.
It may be mentioned here that Diengngan, one of ticket aspirants for Mawthadraishan constituency, started indulging in anti-party activities after he was denied ticket.
The party leadership awarded the ticket to prominent Government contract HB Nongsiej.
Ampareen removal demand: Meanwhile, the party Central Executive Committee (CEC) would meet on December 10 to discuss the reply of Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma regarding the demand for removal of Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh from Cabinet.
According to Lyngdoh, the Chief Minister has asked the party to wait for the report of the High Level Scrutiny Committee (HLSC) on the alleged irregularities in appointment of assistant teachers in Government aided Lower Primary Schools. While informing that the Chief Minister has also referred to the separate ruling by the High Court on the matter, he said that the party would take some time to study the court ruling. When asked why the CEC was taking so much time to meet, he said that as per the convention, a mandatory 15-day notice period is required for convening the CEC meeting. “I would like to assure that we would take a call on the matter at the earliest,” Lyngdoh said.