Secy talks big about ideologies but not sure what they are
SHILLONG: The People’s Democratic Party will not compromise on the issues related to the public and its ideologies are different from other like-minded entities, said party secretary Auspicious L. Mawphlang on Friday after the party’s elevation to a political one.
“When we come to power, we will tap all resources be it power, tourism, and address the plight of farmers and unemployment in rural areas as those registered with the Employment Exchange are still unemployed,” Mawphlang told reporters.
PDF was officially launched on Friday at its office at Nongrim Hills with Ivanlum Marbaniang as president from Mawsynram constituency, Emlang Lytan as working president from Nongthymmai constituency; vice presidents are Shanborlang Khongwir and H. Samuel Marngar from Pynursla and Nongstoin constituencies, respectively, Auspicious L. Mawphlang as secretary from Mawphlang constituency, besides others.
When asked on how will it secure its footing as a political party and not get dissolved like the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) formed in 1997, which merged with the Congress in 2003, the PDF secretary said, “From our party, leaders will emerge who are hopeful and will not compromise on the issues of the public and that is the basis of the People’s Democratic Front.”
Mawphlang said PDF’s goals may be similar to other parties but its ideologies are different. “Our ideologies are strong pillars that will strengthen the party,” he added.
But when asked to elaborate, the party secretary could not give a coherent answer other than saying that PDF would stand for the poor and the needy.
He was quick to add that the party would launch its website where all information would be displayed.
“We are not able to frame our ideologies. We will mould our ideologies later. As for now, we officially want to announce the launch of the party, i.e. on March 1,” he added.
The party’s agenda constitutes of almost all issues like corruption, poverty, youth and unemployment, quality education, sports, economic growth, healthcare, environment, clean water and sanitation, effective governance, strengthening of traditional administration or village administration, rural development.
‘No candidates’
The newly floated party said it has no candidates so far but offers will be scrutinised.
“As a party we yearn to bring transparency in the system as there are issues of traditional administration that the State government is indifferent to and there is no policy to monitor the issues,” he added.
PDF president Ivanlum Marbaniang said the party would frame committees for membership.
When asked who will the party zero in as an icon of the party, Mawphlang said, “Our party will come up with an icon but presently it is not appropriate to bring the names as there are no lists of people till date. But we need a leader who is effective and create a change in the state and he will be the icon of the party.”
Marbaniang said PDF is not a party for the rich or intellectuals but for the poor and the needy.
He asserted that there is pessimism surrounding the policies of the State, and said, “Some of the policies of the State have not been implemented. There is no policy for the youth and farmers. Even the people are confronted with irregular electricity.”
EC approval
Referring to PDF’s progress with regard to the documents submitted to Election Commission, Mawphlang said, “We were able to submit necessary documents on March 15, 2017, to the Election Commission. As per the guidelines of the ECI, it informed us that it will let us know after 15 days which means today, if there are any errors in the registration.”
As for the party symbol, he said, “After the scrutiny of the documents of the party, EC will give us the list of symbols and if we do not like any, we will propose our own symbol and go ahead with it with EC’s approval.”
He is hopeful that all formalities will be completed within May.
KHADC ‘Forum’
When asked on whether the party has any link with People’s Democratic Forum, Emlang Lytan, working president, said it has no link asserting that the coalition in the KHADC is a ‘Forum’ and not a ‘Front’.
Replying to a query that some MDCs have announced that they will join PDF, Lytan shrugged off any such move but said, “Whoever wants to join the party is most welcome.”