By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Suspended legislator, Ardent Basaiawmoit of the United Democratic Party (UDP) has alleged he has been victimized for raising issues concerning the party even as he termed UDP as ‘Unstable Dictatorial Party’.
“I joined the party with a strong belief that it is the only regional force which would fulfill the aspirations of the indigenous population. It was my biggest mistake,” Basiawmoit said while addressing a press conference here on Thursday.
He claimed that there was “no democracy” within the UDP as the party workers can not voice their concerns.
According to him, the party leadership is shying away from its ideology only for the sake of political gains.
Referring to his opposition to the allotment of ticket to Dr Md Mizanur Rehman Kazi (Rajabala), he said, “As a regional party, I feel that the UDP should allot ticket to a tribal candidate.”
The parliamentary board of the party suspended Basaiawmoit on Wednesday for his alleged non-compliances to party directives including his staunch opposition to the party’s allocation of tickets to non-indigenous people.
When asked about the decision of the party to suspend him, he said that the party in fact for the past few months had been trying to expel him.
“But the leadership decided to buy more time to find an alternative candidate to replace me. It would be a huge embarrassment for the party if it fails to find an alternative,” Basaiawmoit said.
As per the available information, he said that the party was waiting for the announcement of Congress candidate. “After that, the leadership would pounce on the Congress aspirant who is denied ticket,” he said.
“I have never indulged in any anti-party activity and I have spent most of my time dealing with issues concerning the state and its people. So, where is the justification of taking action against me, and what are the activities that they claim to be as anti-party?” the suspended UDP MLA said.
According to him, the party leadership was playing a game to bring down his reputation in the eyes of the public.
When asked why he did not reply to the show-cause notice, he said “I am not keen to apply for the party ticket unless the party has a clear stand on its ideology and philosophy”.
According to Basaiawmoit, the UDP leadership did not respond to any of his letters, where he raised different issues concerning the state.
He said that the people will give a befitting reply to the UDP in the upcoming 2013 Assembly polls since it has betrayed the indigenous people of the state.
“The UDP can no longer claim to be a regional party as it has failed to live up to the expectations of the people,” he stated.
But, at the same time, he did not spell out his next move even as speculations are rife that he would be joining hands with the oldest regional party in Meghalaya – the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP).