Ardent attacks Congress
SHILLONG: Congress has decided to field former Chief Executive Member (CEM) Manstudy Nongrem for the post of Chairman, KHADC, even as the All Regional Party Alliance (ARPA) chairman Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit has slammed Congress for trying to encourage defection in an effort to form the Executive Committee.
Nongrem, Congress MDC from Langrin, will now take on HSPDP MDC from Mylliem Teilinia Thangkhiew in the election is scheduled to be held on February 6.
The Congress took the decision to field Nongrem in a party meeting held on Tuesday.
During the meeting, Congress, which has the support of Mawhati independent MDC James Sylliang and NCP MDC Sanbor Shullai, decided to name the alliance KHUDA-II.
Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, KHUDA-II chairman and Congress Parliamentary Party leader Pynshngain N Syiem said that his party was confident of winning the election to post of chairman and form the next Executive Committee in the Council.
“We are hopeful that the MDCs from other regional parties would vote in favour of Nongrem. Since there is no anti-defection law in the KHADC, every MDC is free to cast his or her vote as per their conscience,” Syiem said. He claimed that the alliance had the support of altogether 13 MDCs with Congress (10) NCP (1), independent (1) and one nominated MDC.
Laitumkhrah Congress MDC Antonio War has been named as the secretary of KHUDA-II while Mawphlang-Diengiei Congress MDC Lamphrang Blah has been appointed its chief whip.
Earlier in the day while speaking to newsmen, Basaiawmoit said, “The senior Congress leaders in the Council are hoping to form the Executive Committee (EC) on the ground that there is no anti-defection law in the Council”.
He also alleged that Congress, which was desperate to form the EC, is knocking at the doors of the MDCs of the regional parties to seek their support.
Basaiawmoit said that it would be better for them to gracefully accept the mandate of the people rather than indulging in cheap politics.
