SHILLONG, May 1: Amid reports of two HSPDP legislators seeking greener pastures to contest the 2023 polls, party chief KP Pangniang has asserted that their MLAs cannot be poached by other political parties.
“We trust our MLAs and MDCs to remain with the party through thick and thin,” he said.
There are reports that HSPDP legislator and PHE Minister, Renikton Tongkhar may contest the upcoming polls on a National People’s Party ticket. Sohiong MLA, Samlin Malngiang is also reportedly planning to jump ship.
The two MLAs have rubbished such reports.
Pangniang said it is not unusual for political parties – allies or opponents – to try to expand by targeting leaders capable of winning elections “but I do not see my MLAs” going anywhere.
But he said the two MLAs would be in a better position to tell. “You should ask them. But as far as I am concerned, they will never cheat the people of the state,” he added.
Meanwhile, the HSPDP has asked the government to fulfil its commitment to the Harijan Colony residents with a relocation plan acceptable to all.
“Our Harijan friends have put forth some conditions as they have the right to but the final say is with the government,” Pangniang said.
The HPC had last month agreed to relocate but with certain riders that the government has assured to look into. The conditions include the allocation of 200 square meters of land per family and money for constructing the houses of 342 families.
Some political parties and pressure groups opposed these conditions and said only the government employees among the Harijan Colony residents should be moved to the quarters of the department they are employed in.
Earlier Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has expressed confidence that the protracted issue of relocating the Harijan Colony residents will be resolved soon.
He said that resettlement of the residents was no mean task and that the government should be lauded for trying to resolve the issue by keeping in mind the sentiments of people on both sides.