SHILLONG: The president of a social organisation in Mawsynram has alleged that People’s Democratic Front (PDF) chairman PN Syiem met then Governor V Shanmuganathan who assured that would to help Syiem with the withdrawal of the Dual Posts Bill if he supports the BJP.
“When PN Syiem was in Pyndensohsaw, he told us that he met the governor who assured him that if he works with the BJP, the Governor will help with the Dual Posts Bill,” Diralson Dkhar, president of the Mawsynram Constituency Development Society (MCDC), told reporters at a press conference here on Thursday.
Dkhar, a former supporter of Syiem, went on to allege that Syiem has “a hidden agenda” with the BJP.
In 2016, Shanmuganathan in an order said Syiem did not attract disqualification based on the opinion of the Election Commission of India.
Though the order issued on May 31 was in particular reference to the KHADC CEM, this may be applicable to other seven legislators who had relinquished the posts of MDCs after the passing of the controversial bill in the State Assembly.
The order said, “In accordance with opinion of the Election Commission of India, I hereby decide that under Article 192 (1) of the Constitution Pynshngainlang Syiem, member of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has not attracted the disqualification under Article 191(1) (a) of the Constitution. The matter is disposed off accordingly.”
The Article 191(1) (a) states that a “person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a member of the Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council of a State if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State specified in the First Schedule, other than an office declared by the Legislature of the State by law not to disqualify its holder”.
Dkhar went on to allege that Syiem he did not get the ministerial berth that made him take up the issues of “jaitbynriew” (indigenous community). “Had he been given the ministerial berth, he would have remained in the Congress,” he said, adding that Syiem, who was a former Congressman, was not fit to be a minister.
BJP a threat to minority
Dkhar denounced the BJP by stating that the party is a threat to the minority all over the country and claimed that the Congress can fight against the BJP. “The Congress will come back and capture power from the BJP,” he said.
MCDC has decided to support Congress candidate from Mawsynram HM Shangpliang.
“Since the Congress respects culture, tradition of all minorities, we need to pay respect to this party by giving full support to the Congress,” he said.
Pointing to the failure of Syiem as a representative, Dkhar said that his conflict with Chief Minister Mukul Sangma led to problems which included the pending issue of Mawsynram Civil Sub-Division.
“The road from Trongpleng till Kynrang is very bad. He is the hero of horse carriage era,” he remarked.
He added, “No matter how confident he is, he will not come back to power.”