SHILLONG: UDP, which has been baying for Ardent Basaiawmoit’s blood ever since few party MDCs criticized him for his ‘dictatorial behaviour’, has softened its stand on the KHADC CEM and has decided to give him a second chance to improve his conduct as the leader of the ruling coalition in the KHADC -All Regional Parties Alliance (ARPA).
“We want the CEM to be transparent in his dealings and honouring the coalition system of governance and power sharing. He (Basaiawmoit) should also learn to respect his fellow colleagues in the EC,” UDP president Donkupar Roy said after a meeting of the senior party leaders and MDCs at his official residence here on Monday.
The UDP president asserted that the CEM, who got the first chance when he was asked to lead the coalition, should learn to address himself as a coalition leader.
“He should project the whole coalition and not himself while handling the affairs of the Council. It is really sad that in the past few months, it looks like to be an EC of one man or not of a coalition,” Roy said.
When asked if he was suggesting that the present CEM had hijacked the whole EC by projecting himself, the UDP president, however, denied it.
After considering the communication from HSPDP expressing its inability to replace Basaiawmoit as the ARPA leader, he said that the party resolved to continue in the ARPA to ensure stability of administration in the KHADC and to strengthen the broad regional entity.
Refusing to accept that the party has backed out from its original demand for change of leadership, the UDP leader said that the party raked up this issue so that the present CEM change his style of functioning.
Meanwhile, he informed that the party has also decided to propose the formulation of the code of conduct which will be binding on all the members of the ruling coalition including the CEM and Executive Members (EMs).
He also said that the party was also in favour in having a Common Development Programme (CDP) in the Council.
According to him, the three parties will sit together and select the various important agendas which were highlighted in the party manifestoes during the district council’s election.
“The CDP will help the coalition to set a goal to be achieved in the next four years,” he said.
Earlier in day, KHNAM’s initiative to break the deadlock remained inconclusive as both UDP and HSPDP struck to their respective stands on the leadership issue.
Talking to newsmen after the meeting of the three parties (HSPDP, UDP and KHNAM) here on Monday, KHNAM general secretary Batkupar Wahlang said that all the three parties resolved to remain with ARPA till the end of term.
“We have also resolved that both the UDP and HSPDP would sit together to find out the ways and means to ensure that there is close coordination between allies in the affairs of the Council,” Wahlang said.
He said that the three parties would hold similar meetings in future whenever there is a need.
The KHNAM general secretary said that they have left to both the HSPDP and UDP to arrive to an acceptable solution on the leadership issue.
Meanwhile, UDP legislator Jeminio Mawthoh reiterated UDP’s commitment to continue to be part of ARPA till the end of the term.
“We have made it clear that the process of dialogue to end the ongoing stalemate will continue,” Mawthoh said.
On the other hand, HSPDP leader Witting Mawsor said that the party had already decided not to replace Basaiawmoit as the ARPA leader.
When asked about the meeting convened by Basaiawmoit on September 19, he said that the party has no knowledge about it.
In reply to a query whether the party will elect a new leader if Basaiawmoit decides to quit, he said that this matter will be debated in the party if the situation arises.