SHILLONG, June 20: The high drama in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council on Monday that witnessed an unlikely alliance between the NPP and the Congress, the ruling party and the principal opposition in the Assembly, leading to the ouster of the UDP-led United Democratic Alliance has laid bare the obvious contradictions between the two main props of the MDA — the NPP and the UDP.
But has the marriage of convenience soured beyond a point of no return?
Leaders from both the NPP and the UDP are tightlipped over future political developments but party workers from both sides are convinced the change of equation in the KHADC is a portent of things to come.
The political development in the council, which took many by surprise, has its roots in the high decibel campaigning ahead of the Sohiong Assembly poll on May 10.
During the campaigning, both NPP MDC Bajop Pyngrope and now former KHADC CEM Titosstarwell Chyne had “predicted” changes in state politics after the election.
Pyngrope had made it clear then that the “NPP was ready to kick out UDP from the MDA Government after the (Sohiong) election”.
Pyngrope’s call was endorsed by NPP state president WR Kharlukhi who said the UDP should be dropped from MDA 2.0 if it really wants an alternative government.
Adding fuel to fire, Cabinet Minister and NPP spokesperson, Ampareen Lyngdoh on Tuesday said the NPP has shown its willingness to work with the Congress and if the MPCC takes a cue from it then it would be in the best interest of the public.
“NPP had called us to join them when there were only five Congress MLAs,” Lyngdoh said, stopping short of a direct response on whether the NPP-Congress teamwork could be seen at the state level.
“I do not think there is any hard and fast rule which says we will have to isolate XYZ party (an obvious reference to UDP) but as elected representatives the coalition could work together,” the NPP spokesperson stated.
On UDP president, Metbah Lyngdoh expressing unhappiness over the developments in KHADC, Lyngdoh said, “I will refrain from responding to that question as that is a statement by the leader of a political party. Whether the MDA 2.0 coalition will also change is something which is yet to be understood and yet to be responded to by the president of my party (Conrad K. Sangma).”
Deputy Chief Minister and NPP vice president, Prestone Tynsong distanced himself from the drama in the KHADC and said that the district councils and the Assembly are two different institutions.
“The district councils are party-less institutions where anyone can go and join anywhere,” he added.
However, Congress MLA from Nongstoin Gabriel Wahlang ruled the any possibility of the grand old party supporting the NPP-led MDA 2.0 Government.
“We are supporting the NPP only in the KHADC. We have taken this decision to protect the interests of our people,” Wahlang said.
The Congress MLA said Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has not invited the party to support his government.
