SHILLONG, Dec 27: The NPP and the UDP may be the two prominent constituents of the ruling MDA 2.0 Government in the state but the goodwill is lacking in the KHADC where the latter is witnessing an exodus of its members who are making a beeline outside the NPP office to join the party.
Three MDCs — Bindo Mathew Lanong, Lambor Malngiang, and Latiplang Kharkongor – have recently extended their support to the NPP-led Executive Committee in KHADC, and many more are likely to follow suit.
KHADC Chief Executive Member Pyniaid Sing Syiem said on Wednesday that a few MDCs from the opposition (UDP) were keen to support the NPP-led EC in the council.
“More are planning to join in the coming days,” Syiem added.
Earlier, UDP Parliamentary Party leader in the KHADC, Titosstarwell Chyne said he was not aware of his party’s MDCs intending to support the NPP-led EC.
“The UDP has 8 MDCs. I have not heard anything (that they would support the NPP-led EC). Similarly, I have not heard of any move by HSPDP MDC Martle Mukhim, also co-chairman of RDA, to support the present EC,” he said.
Chyne said UDP MDC from Nongpoh, Balajied Ranee was very firm in supporting the Lineage Amendment Bill because he was very vocal about the practice of Shaw Bhoi.
“He (Ranee) was supporting the Bill, not the EC,” he said.
“However, you can ask Balajied whether he has any intention to join any other party,” he added.
Ranee denied any move to join the NPP-led EC.
“I am happy with the response to the issue I raised on the inclusion of Shaw Bhoi in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) (Amendment) Bill, 2023. But I have no plan to join the EC,” he said.
The UDP leadership said earlier that it was yet to discuss the decision against Malngiang, who extended his support to the NPP-led EC in the KHADC.
“As the party general secretary, I had spoken with Malngiang to know his mind. He said he is still very much a part of the UDP,” Jemino Mawthoh said.
Mawthoh further said he requested the Nongkrem MDC to issue a formal statement to the media to clarify his position on the matter.
“We are going to meet shortly since we have received a letter from Chyne to initiate disciplinary action against Malngiang,” he said.
