SHILLONG: The factionalism in the Congress became stark on Friday when over a hundred loyalists of KHADC chief PN Syiem from different units of the party declared themselves ‘suspended’ after their leader’s suspension for three years that was extended by the MPCC recently.
Addressing reporters after a meeting with the Congress functionaries at his residence here, Syiem said, “Party functionaries, including presidents, vice presidents and other Congress party workers from Mawsynram, Pyndengsohsaw, Syntein, Sawsymper, Dangar, Lawbah and Phlangwanbroi have unanimously decided to consider themselves as being suspended after the Congress party suspended me.”
He added that they would not hold any office in the party. However, he was quick to add that the Congress workers have not left the party but they are only considering themselves as suspended.
Contending that the Mawsynram Block Committee Congress (MBCC), of which Syiem was the former president but was removed from that post after the suspension, has been dissolved and is now looking for new office bearers, Syiem said, “The party functionaries have stated that they will not be part of the new office although they are part of the Congress party.”
“We will meet from time to time to discuss the future course of action,” the KHADC CEM said.
Meanwhile, Banraplang Hynniewta, assistant secretary of MBCC, decried the action of the MPCC and said that Congress lacked discipline. He said, “The MPCC suspended Syiem without any reason.”
P. Wanniang, president of Pyndengsohsaw Area Congress Committee, alleged that the Congress has overlooked the different party units in the State.
Earlier, a group of party workers who have been newly elected to the MBCC, under the new leadership of Khelor Kharnaior, had met DD Lapang after Syiem’s suspension.
