SHILLONG, April 5: Regional party People’s Democratic Front (PDF) has sniffed a plan of few of its MLAs to desert the party ahead of the Assembly polls, but PDF chief Banteidor Lyngdoh has nonetheless decided not to react on the matter as it still stands unconfirmed.
“We decided not to react since it is not yet confirmed that these MLAs are planning to leave the party. But I am not surprised by this development since people will be leaving and joining new political party with few months left for the elections,” Lyngdoh said.
It may be mentioned that speculation about Umsning MLA Jason Mawlong and Sohra MLA Gavin Mylliem planning to join the NPP and Congress respectively, is also running rife.
According to the PDF chief, even if the party MLAs would want to join other political parties, it will not be possible to defect immediately due to the anti-defection law.
However, party MDC from Umsning, Macdalyne S Mawlong, had recently joined the NPP since there is no anti-defection law in the Autonomous District Councils.
Talking about PDF’s preparations for the polls, the party president made claims about some sitting MLAs being keen to contest on PDF ticket.
“It is too early to divulge the names of these MLAs. But yes, few of them have approached me,” Banteidor said.
He also revealed that several leaders would be joining the party in coming months.
Banteidor, however, was unable to provide a figure on the number of seats PDF would contest from in 2023, but maintained it would go for as many as possible. “We are now preparing the ground work to be able to win more number of seats in 2023,” Lyngdoh added.
In 2018, the PDF had won four seats.