SHILLONG, May 2: The proposed merger of the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) with the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) is set to take place on May 6 at the latter’s party office here. However, it is unclear if a consensus has been reached on the merger since several party leaders had expressed their strong opposition to the merger during the central executive committee meeting on Tuesday.
A party source said the differences within the PDF came out in the open after some CEC members, including PDF vice president and former MDC James Ban Basaiawmoit, skipped the meeting that was fixed to discuss the merger issue.
The source said that the opposition by party leaders came as a surprise for PDF president Gavin Miguel Mylliem, working president Banteidor Lyngdoh and general secretary Auspicious Lyngdoh Mawphlang, who have finalised the deal for the merger.
“The top three party brasses had expected everyone to accept the merger proposal moved by them. The CEC meeting was expected to seal the deal for the PDF-NPP merger. However, the meeting ended in a stalemate as many CEC members including some newly-inducted ones did not turn up,” the source said.
Despite the opposition, the party bosses have finalised May 6 as the date for the official merger.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Mylliem said it was an internal party meeting.
Asked if the merger was discussed, he said, “Everything will be revealed at an appropriate time.”
When the PDF working president was asked if any decision has been taken to wind up the party, he said that the party flag is still flying.
“If the merger takes place it will be in the open,” Lyngdoh added.
It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma had mentioned during an election rally at Sohiong on Monday that senior leaders of other parties (read PDF) will merge with the NPP on May 6.
Sangma, who is also the NPP national president, had said that the PDF will have its CEC and general council meetings where the decision will be finalised. “We will wait for their decision,” he had added.
