Shylla set to join PDF

SHILLONG: Disgruntled UDP MDC HS Shylla is all set to join the People’s Democratic Front (PDF), a party floated in March this year.
Shylla, who is likely to resign from the UDP after the KHADC’s budget session, will also extend support to the ruling People’s Democratic Forum coalition in the council led by KHADC CEM PN Syiem.
Speaking to reporters after the KHADC’s budget session here on Tuesday, Shylla said his supporters wanted him to join the PDF as was proved by a signature campaign.
Stating that his supporters wanted him to contest the election, he said, “I will have to leave the party (UDP) as it decided not to field any candidate and support the HSPDP candidate (from Nongrem).”
As per the pre-poll alliance, the UDP will not field candidate from Nongkrem to allow HSPDP president Ardent Basaiawmoit to contest from the seat, Shylla noted.
Claiming that “anti-Ardent wave” is strong in Nongkrem, he said his supporters want him to contest from the constituency in 2018.
He reiterated that a pre-poll alliance should include all regional parties.
Shylla sits with coalition members
Meanwhile, during the session hours, Shylla was seen sitting on the side of the ruling PDF coalition which roused curiosity.
He stated that the situation following the pre-poll alliance prompted him to switch over to the ruling People’s Democratic Forum (PDF) coalition led by PN Syiem.
Expressing surprise over the withdrawal of support by UDP to the PDF coalition, he said, “UDP has changed its behaviour after its meeting with HSPDP.”
With regard to the arguments that the ruling PDF is a minority Executive Committee (EC), he said, “They should table a no-confidence motion (against the EC) if they think so. There has to be hand counting or head counting.”
Shylla stated that the general public will wait and watch whether the UDP will support the Congress if a no-confidence motion is moved by the opposition.