By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 9: The United Democratic Party (UDP) in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Monday said the Congress’ move to withdraw from the National People’s Party-led (NPP) Executive Committee (EC) just before the election in the council is an attempt to “mislead or brainwash” people.
UDP stalwart Titosstarwell Chyne, who is also the Opposition leader in the KHADC, told reporters the Congress will become a laughing stock in the eyes of the people if it pulls out of the EC at this juncture.
“My question is why the Congress leaders are pressuring the party MDCs. They (Congress leaders) were the ones who had endorsed the move to work with the NPP by toppling my EC,” Chyne, a former Chief Executive Member of the KHADC, said.
Asked if he is still upset with the Congress over the toppling of the EC that he led, the UDP leader said political parties face such situations.
To another query, he said only time will tell if the Congress’ decision to pull out of the EC will backfire.
“People will give the answer in the election. We are not the ones to judge,” he said.
Reacting to Cabinet Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh’s claim that any party that forms the EC in the KHADC will need the support of the NPP, Chyne said it is wrong on the part of the minister to make such remarks.
According to him, the government can interfere with the formation of the EC in the council after the election.
“We will not accept the argument that any party which forms the EC in the council will need the blessings of the party leading the government in the state,” he said.
It may be mentioned that the political dynamics within the KHADC’s Executive Committee is growing increasingly strained as the Congress, a constituent of the EC, has conveyed pressure to withdraw support from the NPP-led coalition, while on the sidelines public disagreements among political leaders also remains.
