UDP candidates ink anti-defection agreement

SHILLONG: In a unique exercise aimed at preventing its MDCs from defecting to other parties, the Opposition UDP inked a deed of agreement with all its candidates under the Indian Contract Act, 1872. The agreement binds the candidates to remain with the party for the next five years.
“We made the candidates sign the deed of agreement to prevent them from switching allegiance to another party after being elected to the district council. Due to the absence of a strong anti-defection law, MDCs switch sides from one party to another for their own political interests,” UDP working president Bindo M Lanong told newsmen here on Tuesday, after releasing the party’s poll manifesto ahead of the February 24 district council elections to the KHADC and the JHADC.
Lanong also informed that the UDP candidates have been asked to publicly take an oath that they would not switch sides after winning the election.
He said that the party realized the importance of having an agreement with the candidates after suffering reverses last time with as many as five of its MDCs joining the Congress.
Out of ten UDP MDCs who were elected to the KHADC, Artist Rani (Jirang), Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh (Nongpoh), Fabian Lyngdoh (Umroi), Ostril Pamshong (Mawhati) and Rasor Rani (Mairang), deserted the party and joined the Congress camp.
Lanong also informed that the UDP has roped in the Chairman of the KHADC as a witness to the deed of agreement to empower him to suspend those UDP MDCs who attempt to switch to other parties.
“We can also sue the Chairman if he refuses to take action against the party MDCs on the basis of our petition,” Lanong said.
While reiterating that the UDP was in favour of a strong anti-defection law in the district councils, Lanong invited members of other political parties to join the UDP.
“The district council had passed the Prevention of Defection Bill in line with the anti-defection law which is applicable to both the State and the Parliament after the State Government in 2011 forwarded a proposal to the Centre on the need to have an anti-defection law in the Council,” Lanong reminded, while adding that the Centre was yet to respond to the State Government proposal.