SHILLONG: Nongthymmai MDC Latiplang Kharkongor, who had defected to the UDP from the KHNAM in 2012, has now decided to return to his former party.
Kharkongor is the second MDC after Mawkhar representative James Ban Basaiawmoit to rejoin KHNAM. Basaiawmoit had rejoined KHNAM earlier this year.
The Nongthymmai MDC formally rejoined his former party during an emergent meeting of the KHNAM on Monday.
Besides Basaiawmoit and Kharkongor, KHNAM has two other MDCs Carmel Sohtun (Laitkroh) and Adelbert Nongrum (Jaiaw), taking its total strength in the KHADC to four.
It may be reminded that both Basaiawmoit and Kharkongor, along with former party president Paul Lyngdoh had disassociated themselves from the KHNAM when they had merged with the UDP.
KHNAM still retains its identity with the Election Commission remaining silent over the issue of the party’s merger with the UDP.
It is learnt that both Kharkongor and Basaiawmoit walked out of the UDP after being denied tickets to contest the last Assembly polls, despite assurance by the UDP leadership.
Meanwhile, clarifying on his return to the KHNAM, Kharkongor said he has decided to re-associate himself with KHNAM since the party has retained its programme and policies.
Meanwhile, KHNAM general secretary Batkupar Wahlang informed that Kharkongor would be formally welcomed into the party on December 12.
