SHILLONG: Ending all speculations, the UDP has now officially demanded change of leadership in the ruling alliance in KHADC — All Regional Parties Alliance (ARPA).
“We have sent a formal letter to HSPDP today seeking clarification on the demand of the party for the change of leadership,” UDP working president Bindo M Lanong told newsmen after a meeting of the party MLAs, MDCs and senior leaders here on Thursday.
According to him, the party MDCs expressed their inability to continue to work under the leadership of incumbent CEM Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit.
He said that the party would wait for the response from HSPDP before deciding its future course of action.
“If HSPDP agrees to elect a new leader,” Lanong said “the crisis will come to an end.”
The UDP working president, however, indicated that the party might consider giving an outside support to the ARPA “if the HSPDP refuses to elect a new leader.” “We have decided to continue our support to the alliance till it completes its term,” Lanong said. Meanwhile, the UDP leaders also held a separate meeting with the leaders of KHNAM to discuss the prevailing situation in the KHADC. Talking to newsmen after the meeting, KHNAM general secretary Barikupar Wahlang said “The party has made it very clear that it wants to act as a ‘mediator’ to solve the crisis.” “We have listened to the views of the UDP. We would now meet the HSPDP leaders to hear their point of views on the issue. After this, the party would try to bring all the three parties together to resolve the crisis,” Wahlang said.
KHNAM general secretary said, “If it is for the larger interest of the indigenous community, my party will favour election of a new leader since there is no dearth of capable leaders in ARPA.”
