Nongshken MDC quits HSPDP on ‘personal grounds’
SHILLONG: The HSPDP on Tuesday suffered a major blow in the KHADC when Nongshken MDC Grace Mary Kharpuri resigned from the party.
Kharpuri submitted her resignation to the party supremo HS Lyngdoh.
The decision of the Nongshken MDC was expected considering the growing division among the party MDCs especially after the decision of the outgoing CEM Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit to go ahead with the public meeting on September 19.
Sources also revealed that majority of the HSPDP MDCs were unhappy over the party’s decision not to take the responsibility of the leadership of the ruling coalition — ARPA. According to sources, the party had even decided to project Rambrai-Jyrngam MDC KP Pangngiang for the post of the CEM.
According to sources, Kharpuri was among those MDCs who were not happy with the decision taken by the party. Kharpuri, however, said that she has decided to resign from the party on personal grounds.
“I did not have any grudge against any members of the party. I have taken this decision on personal grounds,” Nongshken MDC said.
She said that she will continue to remain as an independent MDC till the end of the term.
Kharpuri had joined the HSPDP just months before the council polls, which were held in February this year.
The Nongshken MDC also pledged that she would continue to extend her support to the ruling coalition in the KHADC (ARPA). She also submitted her letter of support to the new leader of the Alliance Adelbert Nongrum.
The ARPA has chosen KHNAM working president Adelbert Nongrum as its new leader in place of Basaiawmoit, who tendered his resignation on Friday.
Nongrum will have to be elected to the office of chief executive member on the floor of the council. The election will be held on October 8.
With Kharpuri’s resignation, the strength of the HSPDP has reduced to six. The UDP also has six members while the KHNAM has four members.