SHILLONG: The move of a section of UDP MDCs with the support of the party leadership to seek reply from KHADC CEM P.N Syiem on various anomalies in the functioning of the KHADC with a deadline till February 16 is seen by Syiem as a ploy to topple his executive committee with the tacit understanding with the Congress.
However, Syiem has cautioned UDP as to how the party can work together with the Congress in the Council when it is part of the North East Democratic Alliance led by the BJP.
Earlier, the UDP gave a deadline till Thursday to the KHADC chief to clarify on the nine-point queries, including issues related to scams, as pointed in the letter addressed to him by the leader of UDP parliamentary party in the Council, Tienwell Dkhar.
The issue was discussed on Friday by the UDP sub-committee headed by party working president Bindo Lanong in the presence of six party MDCs and other leaders.
After the meeting, UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh had told media persons that if the party is not satisfied with Syiem’s reply on the nine-point queries, it will decide its future course of action.
The nine-point queries are concerning the purported misappropriation of Rs 16 lakh belonging to the Forest Department, lack of transparency in the allotment of land in Ri Bhoi with a compensation of Rs 23 lakh and the matters related to providing loan to Khasi Heritage Conservation Forum.
Another irritant was the decision of the EC to extend the service of its secretary Welljune Syiemlieh and his appointment as Principal Secretary, a post which was unknown to the Council.
UDP is also annoyed over the delay in making public the magisterial inquiry report on the illegal transfer of Rs 2 crore to private bank accounts, especially belonging to Syiemlieh.
UDP had also sought a clarification on the move of Syiem to form a regional party.
Mawthoh had not revealed the future course of action, but indications are that UDP may withdraw support to the EC led by the suspended Congress member.
Reacting to the stand of UDP, the KHADC CEM said that he would explain everything at the meetings of the Executive Committee and the People’s Democratic Forum (PDF) on February 16.
He, however, wondered as to the role of UDP in the whole episode.
“I am very much accountable to the Executive Committee where UDP MDCs are a part besides the PDF. However, the UDP asking me to explain certain things is unwarranted,” Syiem said, adding that the UDP can seek clarification from the party MDCs and not from him as his priority is EC as well as PDF.
According to Syiem, only a few MDCs are trying to create misunderstanding with some excuses to withdraw from the coalition.
Syiem said that he is hopeful that UDP president Donkupar Roy will understand the situation as the disgruntled UDP MDCs aligning with the Congress will be dangerous for the party in 2018.
Syiem also pointed out that the UDP president had assured in the past that the party will be committed to supporting him till the end of the term.
“The Congress will try hard to topple the EC, but UDP should not fall into the trap, and the party following the Congress is not desirable in the long run,” Syiem said.
