By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Firebrand legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit’s honeymoon with the United Democratic Party (UDP) has come to an end with the party deciding to field former MDP legislator Draison Kharshiing from Nongkrem.
At the same time, the UDP leadership has placed Basaiawmoit under suspension.
With this latest development, it is more or less confirmed that the Nongkrem legislator would be contesting the State Assembly elections due in 2013 from the HSPDP.
Taking to newsmen after the State Election Committee (SEC) meeting of the party here on Monday, the UDP president Dr Donkupar Roy said since Basaiawmoit did not seek ticket, the party decided to field Kharshiing from Nongkrem. When asked what prevented the party from expelling the legislator, Dr Roy said, “The party does not consider the action of Basaiawmoit as a serious one. We are happy placing him under suspension for an indefinite period”.To a question on what would happen if Basaiawmoit decides to join another party, the UDP chief said, “He is free to join any party.”
On Basaiawmoit’s demand to convene a meeting to discuss the ideology of the party, Dr Roy said, “I was surprised by his timing. He (Basaiawmoit) has never raised this issue in last four and half years since he joined the party. Before joining any party, I think, the person should familiarize himself with its ideologies.” In another turn of events, thousands of Basiawmoit supporters joined the HSPDP at the meeting held at Nongkrem on Monday. While welcoming the supporters, the HSPDP general secretary Enbin K. Raswai said that the party’s door was open for Basaiawmoit.