SHILLONG: Suspended Congress member and Chief Executive Member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), PN Syiem alleged that former bureaucrat, Himalaya Shangpliang “has been a politician even before he resigned.”
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Syiem said, “It is evident from the video clipping that he (Shangpliang) misused his position as an IAS officer.”
“There were complaints from KSU Lawbah, Sordar of Shella, Nongtrai headman,” he said, adding that the entry of Shangpliang into politics proved that he has misused his official position.
Slamming the Congress government for protecting Shangpliang, Syiem said that there should not be any enquiry ordered and demanded punitive actions be taken as per rule and is seeking the intervention of the central government as Shangpliang is a nominated IAS officer.
It may be recalled that in the month of July, a video was circulated which showed Shangpliang praising the Lawbah units at Lawbah area of Mawsynram constituency.
NPP and PDF leading parties
On the other hand, Syiem observed that National People’s Party (NPP) and People’s Democratic Front (PDF) will be leading the ensuing elections in 2018.
Most of the PDF MDCs and candidate aspirants have announced that Syiem is the leader of PDF, though Syiem has not resigned from Congress.
On rumors doing the rounds that Syiem will join NPP, he quipped, “That is very wrong. I will join any party minus NPP.”
However, he is not averse to post-poll alliance with NPP and will likely talk to NPP leaders about the matter.
Commenting on the prospect of the Congress in the 2018 State Assembly elections, he recalled the names of disgruntled leaders like Rowell Lyngdoh, Sniawbhalang Dhar, Ngaitlang Dhar, Prestone Tynsong and himself.
He said, “Congress has failed miserably. As for their talks of getting 20-30 candidates, it will be seen after the results of the election are declared.”
Predicting that it will be difficult for the Congress to come back to power again, Syiem said that signs reveal the failure of the Congress with prominent leaders like Roshan Warjri, Deputy CM RC Laloo not contesting elections.