SHILLONG: The Congress on Friday withdrew its support to the People’s Democratic Forum (PDF) coalition led by suspended Congress legislator and KHADC chief P.N Syiem. The party had extended support to PDF during the two-day session.
A press communiqué released on Friday said newly elected Parliamentary Party leader Manstudy Nongrem submitted the letter of withdrawal of support to the PDF following a decision by the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC). The letter was handed over to Syiem.
When contacted, Nongrem said MPCC directed Congress MDCs to resign as Executive Members (EMs). He added that he had intimated the information to the three EMs to resign.
When asked why MPCC directed the MDCs to resign and withdraw support to the PDF coalition, Nongrem said the party felt that it had no right to support a suspended member who is the leader of the coalition.
On whether he would resign from the post of Chairman of the Council, he said, “The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Council are elected by the members of the House and not by the PDF and this matter can be decided later.”
Meanwhile, Congress MDC PT Sawkmie resigned from the post of Deputy CEM and submitted the letter to Syiem. When contacted, Sawkmie said, “I have tendered my resignation as Deputy CEM and at the same time submitted a letter on my withdrawal from the PDF to Syiem.”
On the other hand, Syiem said he had received the resignation letters of Sawkmie, Lamphrang Blah and Jansing M. Tynsong.
Asked about Nongrem and Donovan Wahlang, the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman, respectively, Syiem said they have not indicated anything.
With the withdrawal of five Congress MDCs, the PDF has the support of two Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) MDCs, 10 independent MDCs and 3 UDP MDCs.
