By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 19: The UDP suffered another major jolt in the KHADC with Nongkrem MDC Lambor Malngiang now extending his support to the NPP-led EC in the Council, which came close on the heels of veteran politician Bindo M Lanong doing the same.
The Chief Executive Member (CEM) of KHADC, Pyniaid Sing Syiem, has welcomed the support of Malngiang. Earlier on Monday, MDC (nominated) Bindo Mathew Lanong had announced that he will officially hand his letter of support to Syiem.
Malngiang, while speaking to reporters, however, made it clear that it does not mean that he is joining the NPP by extending support to the EC. “I have extended my support based on issues concerning the interest of the indigenous community,” he said.
It may be mentioned that Lanong has taken his decision after the UDP party leadership failed to respond to his letter where he expressed keenness to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Shillong.
Reacting to this development, UDP Parliamentary Party (PP) leader in the KHADC, Titosstarwell Chyne said that he was not surprised by this development since he knew about their plans. “Both of them have shifted their allegiance as soon as his EC was toppled in June this year. It was only time that they will be officially announce that they have joined the NPP-led EC in the Council,” Chyne said.
Meanwhile, UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh said that he has observed these political developments only in the media. He said that they have authorised the party MDCs in the KHADC to look into this matter.
Lyngdoh, however, refused to comment on the claim of Lanong that he is being sidelined by the party leadership. “As the party, we still respect him as one of the veteran political leaders of the state. We also need to remember that he is the nominated MDC in the KHADC because of the UDP,” the party chief said. He claimed that they have tried to reach out to Lanong on numerous occasions since they still consider him to be an integral part of the UDP. “Even now we are ready to meet and discuss with him,” Lyngdoh added.