SHILLONG: In a major decision, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has unanimously decided to withdraw its support to the P.N Syiem-led People’s Democratic Forum (PDF) in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
The decision to withdraw the support was taken during the Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting of the party held here on Monday. The sub-committee of the party had recommended withdrawing support to PDF following allegations of scams and corruptions.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, UDP president Donkupar Roy said the party cannot subscribe to an entity (PDF) that has the “stench of corruption”.
Stating that the party would sit in opposition in the KHADC, he however made it clear that UDP would not extend any support to the Congress, which is already in the opposition in the Council.
Terming the decision as painful, he said the UDP MDCs in the KHADC would accept the unanimous decision since the party is over and above individuals.
UDP working president Bindo M. Lanong stated that administrator’s rule would be a better choice in the KHADC rather than having a corrupt group executive.
“We will not defend any corruption anywhere and our stand is very clear,” he added.
The Council was put under administrator’s rule on three occasions since 1970 under IAS officers like J.M Thangkhiew and T.W Pakyntein, among others, Lanong said.
Meanwhile, the party has also decided to file an FIR in all the allegations of scams and corruptions which were unearthed in the Council.
Relations between UDP and the P.N Syiem-led PDF hit the rock bottom after the sub-committee of the UDP alleged misappropriation of Rs 2 crore in the Council, besides other scams.
The party even went to the extent of lodging a complaint with the Meghalaya Governor seeking action against Syiem.
Meanwhile, the central executive committee (CEC) of the party on Monday also witnessed some heated moments when Lanong was heard raising his voice during the meeting when one of the MDCs expressed his reservation against the decision of the party.
In addition, the CEC also asked its sitting MLAs to make their stand clear on whether they would contest the 2018 elections from the party by May 31.
