SHILLONG: People’s Democratic Front chairman PN Syiem has maintained that no party is politically untouchable even as he asserted that the ideologies of PDF would not be compromised even if the party forged alliances with others. Speaking to reporters at the end of the welcoming programme at Polo on Tuesday, Syiem said, “In politics there is no party which is untouchable but we will not compromise the ideology of the party.”
He said if the need to forge an alliance arises, the “ally or allies” should understand the issues of the party and work in line with the issues the PDF are fighting for.
Asked whether he would like to work with Congress which he recently quit, Syiem was not direct but said no political parties were untouchable because at the end they would have to stick to their respective ideologies.
He said it was too early to speak about alliances and decisions would be taken later on alliances.
“It depends on the strategy of the party in regard to convincing people in the one-two months before the elections,” he said.
Syiem said he has not decided whether he would contest from two constituencies but informed that he would contest only the Mawsynram seat.
Speaking about PDF, he said it has got maximum support from the people of the state while referring to the The Shillong Times poll opinion. “We have a new vision regarding the state with priorities on law making and policy to protect the interests of the people and to promote different issues of people,” he said.
He said as chairman of the coordination committee, he would convene a meeting of the party and look at the strategy for ensuring electoral victory.
Reacting to Hill State People’s Democratic Party statement that it will reveal Syiem’s scam, he said, “Why are the friends from HSPDP in a hurry to talk about scams? Let things come out clear after the report is completed.”
He was referring to the alleged misappropriation of Council funds by the secretary of KHADC. Syiem pointed out that there was a magisterial enquiry and a House committee to examine the report. “FIR was also lodged against the then secretary and is currently under police investigation,” he said.
Football Clubs
Speaking at the gathering at 5th Ground, Polo, Syiem compared his fight with the state government to that of football clubs – “MUA-II football club and PDF football club”.
He also referred to the legislations of MUA-II, Prevention of Disqualification (Members of the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) Act, 1970 and Meghalaya Parliamentary Secretaries (Appointment, Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2005.
Syiem further stated that he survived the no-confidence motion, saying, “But it does not matter. Nothing will happen if Maradona (Argentine footballer) has the right team.”
“They make laws on dual posts and parliamentary secretaries but cannot score a goal nor can they defend. They know nothing about laws yet they want to legislate for the public,” he said.
Syiem went on to criticise the state government for using Assam laws and regulations despite having attained statehood for 45 years.
Stating that other communities should adapt to the lifestyles of the indigenous groups, he asserted that people in offices should speak in Khasi.
He asserted that the state was facing a crisis on policies, laws and regulations. “The state has no policies to protect farmers, unemployed youths. It has no policies on education,” he said.
