KHADC CEM further consolidates hold on chair
SHILLONG: In a new twist to the political drama, five Congress MDCs have extended their support to the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) coalition led by suspended Congress member PN Syiem, thereby increasing its strength from 16 to 21.
The support of the five Congress MDCs assumes significance ahead of the two- day autumn session of the House which beings on Tuesday.
With this, Syiem is free from any no confidence motion against him from the five Congress MDCs – PT Sawkmie, Donovan Wahlang, Manstudy Nongrem, Lamphrang Blah and Jansing Tynsong.
The meeting convened by Syiem on Monday was attended by all MDCs except Sawkmie and Adelbert Nongrum.
Syiem maintained that those were unable to attend the meeting had communicated to him their decision.
After the PDF meeting, Syiem, who was a former Parliamentary Party (PP) leader of the Congress, told reporters: “Congress MDCs have extended their support to the PDF.”
Earlier on October 14 at a meeting convened at the residence of MPCC president DD Lapang, the five MDCs had elected Manstudy as the new PP leader.
Replying to a query as to why the Congress MDCs supported the PDF, he said, “It is a decision taken by the MDCs and they are free to make their choices.”
Stating that he called the meeting to solicit their opinions and to gain the MDCs’ confidence, Syiem said he would continue in his individual capacity as PDF leader despite his suspension from the Congress party.
“Till date, however, I remain a suspended Congress member and as a suspended member I still qualify to be the PP leader of the PDF and there is no harm in continuing as such as long as I enjoy the confidence of the allies,” Syiem said.
With the support of the MDCs, the strength of the PDF has increased to 21 out of the effective strength of 23.
He informed that he had received the official communication of his suspension on Monday.
Commenting on the swift suspension, he said, “Before suspending me, they should have issued a show cause notice but no such formalities were observed.”
Syiem added that had the show cause been issued, he would have replied immediately and if the party was still not satisfied, then it could have taken disciplinary action against him.
Following Syiem’s suspension from the party, five Congress MDCs resigned which included Parliamentary Party secretary Antonio War, Victor Ranee, Hadrian Lyngdoh, Albinus Lyngdoh and Banteidor Lyngdoh.