No idea if two MLAs leaving party: Pangniang

SHILLONG, May 15: Hills State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) president, KP Pangniang on Sunday said the party has no idea if its two legislators – Renikton L Tongkhar and Samlin Malngiang – are planning to contest next year’s Assembly elections on the tickets of other political parties.
Pangniang said the HSPDP cannot issue show-cause notices to the duo unless they officially announce it. He said he had spoken to both following media reports about their possible departure from the party.
According to the HSPDP chief, both were silent.
“But I had stressed that they should reveal if they have any such plan to allow the party to find suitable candidates in their constituencies,” Pangniang said.
As of now, the two MLAs are very much an integral part of the party, he said.
According to the reports, Tongkhar is likely to contest from the United Democratic Party. It is still unclear which party Malngiang will contest from.
Pangniang did not agree the HSPDP will suffer a setback if the two indeed leave the party. “The party will not suffer if one or two leaders decide to leave,” he asserted.