SHILLONG: The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is confident of winning the posts of CEM and the Chairman of the KHADC uncontested with the Congress opting out as it doesn’t have the numbers on its side.
Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, NPP MDC PN Syiem, who has filed his nomination for the post of Chairman, said they have received information that the Congress will not file nominations as they do not have the numbers.
He added that the strength of the UDA is 19 comprising of nine MDCs from the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) of the PDF and HSPDP and ten from the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) led by the NPP.
He said the names of Executive Members (EMs) will be finalised in the meeting of the PDA and RDA.
Cong to be constructive opposition
After the swearing-in, Congress MDCs convened a meeting in which they selected Ronnie V Lyngdoh from Mylliem as the spokesperson of Congress Parliamentary Party.
Lyngdoh told reporters that the Congress the party will not contest the two posts as it does not have the required number.
He added that the Congress will sit in the opposition and play a constructive role, keeping an eye on the functioning of the Executive Committee (EC).
“We will see that the Executive Committee works for the benefit and interest of the Khasi community and protect it from the pressure of the government of India which threatens the minority communities,” he said.
Attacking the BJP, Lyngdoh said minority communities in the country were under threat.
“This is the policy of the BJP and we are sad that the regional parties still want to work with the party and bring about division in the country,” he said.
He went on to add that the minorities are made to feel that they do not belong to India.
Shelf life of CEM
Asked about the formula of rotating CEMs worked out by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) which will helm the council, Lyngdoh said the leader who will take charge as CEM on Thursday will have a pre-determined shelf life of only a year.
“How will you perform in only one year when the people elected you for five years?” he remarked.
He added, “The expiry date is one year and there is no intention to make the EC strong, but only to accommodate some people’s interests.” Stating that there should be a stable administration, he said the move was not for the benefit of the people.
He went on to add that it is not surprising that regional parties do not last long.
More MDCs to join Congress
Pointing to the time when Congress MDCs defected to other parties, Lyngdoh hinted at the possibility of some joining the party this time.
He said, “I tell you there will be MDCs joining the Congress in the coming days.”
He maintained that the 10 Congress MDCs in the current term will not switch allegiance and will remain together.
Equal share for UDP, NPP in EC
The new Executive Committee (EC) in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) is likely to be constituted with four MDCs each from UDP and NPP.
CEM candidate Teinwell Dkhar confirmed on Wednesday that four UDP MDCs – Titosstarwell Chyne, Paul Lyngdoh, Jambor War and Teibor Pathaw and HSPDP member Martle Mukhim will be part of the new EC.
Deputy CEM candidate Pyniaid Sing Syiem disclosed that the EC will also have four NPP MDCs and the lone PDF MDC Macdalyn Sawkmie Mawlong.