SHILLONG: The ruling alliance in KHADC has been reduced to minority within two months of its formation after six MDCs, mostly from NPP, withdrew support to the coalition led by the UDP.
Six MDCs of the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) — three from NPP, two independents and one PDF — withdrew support to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) coalition which is leading the KHADC.
All the six members submitted their resignation to CEM Teinwell Dkhar late on Tuesday evening.
In March this year, the UDA coalition was formed comprising ten members from PDA and nine members from Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) which has seven UDP and two HSPDP members.
The PDA has a total of 10 MDCs — 1 from PDF, 2 Independents and 7 from NPP.
The ruling coalition was formed to keep away the Congress which has 10 MDCs.
In the House of 29, the strength of the ruling coalition now stands at 13.
The reason for the withdrawal of support is that the CEM was not listening to their varied grievances, including the need to provide more funds for the development of rural areas.
Sources told The Shillong Times on Tuesday that three Executive Members (EMs), NPP MDCs Mitchell Wankhar, Victor Ranee and People’s Democratic Front (PDF) member Macdalyn Mawlong submitted their resignation on Tuesday.
Besides the EMs, the chairpersons of the advisory committee, Independent MDCs Latiplang Kharkongor, Lambor Malngiang and NPP MDC Gigur Myrthong also quit from their respective posts.
The MDCs alleged CEM’s apathy towards them by not responding to their letters demanding an equal share in the schemes from the central government. There was a demand to convene a meeting of the UDA which did not materialise.
“There has to be collective responsibility and collective decision. The share has to be equal and there should not be any partiality as the scheme is meant for developmental purposes,” the source said.
When asked whether they would extend support to Congress, the source said, “We will see later.”
Independent MDC, Lambor Malngiang confirmed the development and said many grievances of the MDCs were not addressed resulting in the present situation.
