SHILLONG: The PDF has threatened to pull out of the NPP-led MDA coalition after four NPP MDCs decided to withdraw support to the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) in KHADC.
Four PDF legislators – Hamlet Dohling, Banteidor Lyngdoh, Jason Sawkmie Mawlong and Gavin Miguel Mylliem – are part of the MDA government and two among them, Hamlet and Banteidor, are Cabinet ministers.
PDF chairman and spokesperson P.N Syiem said on Wednesday that the verbal agreement with NPP was that PDF will get two Cabinet berths and the NPP MDCs will support the PDA coalition in KHADC for the reciprocal support of the party to the MDA government.
“However, the four NPP MDCs are planning to withdraw support to the PDA coalition and in this context, we will have to consider withdrawing support to MDA,” Syiem said.
The KHADC CEM said the four NPP MDCs have already signed the withdrawal letter but he is yet to receive it.
Syiem said the issue related to withdrawal of support to MDA was discussed with the MDCs, MLAs and party men in consultation with the party president during an emergency meeting held on Thursday night.
Syiem indicated that the move of NPP MDCs may be due to his plan to contest the Ranikor by-poll after getting support from like-minded political parties.
When contacted, Deputy Chief Minister and NPP leader Prestone Tynsong and NPP state president W.R Kharlukhi said they were not aware of the political development.
However, Chief Minister and NPP national president Conrad Sangma said the party at the state level does not interfere with the political developments taking place at the district council level.
“Whatever takes place at the council level, we leave to the MDCs and we do not take the issue to the state level. In JHADC where UDP, Congress and NPP are working together is an example,” he added.
Asked about the verbal agreement of NPP and PDF as pointed out by Syiem, Conrad said he will have to find out the background.
“Whatever issues are raised, we will talk,” Conrad said, adding that the MDA will complete its full term.
) In the House of 58 after the resignation of M.M Danggo (Congress) and Agatha Sangma (NPP), the MDA has the support of 37 legislators with 19 MLAs from NPP, seven, including associate member S.K Sunn, from UDP, four PDF, two each from BJP and HSPDP, one from NCP and two Independents.
The opposition Congress has 20 members while the lone KHNAM member Adelbert Nongrum does not support either the ruling side or the opposition.
