Basaiawmoit tenders resigtion as HSPDP chief

From A Reporter

SHILLONG, March 6: In a shocking development hours after two HSPDP MLAs participated in the swearing-in-ceremony of Conrad Sangma as the new Chief Minister today, HSPDP State president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit tendered his resigtion.

In a letter submitted by Basaiawmoit to the party vice president on Tuesday afternoon, he had cited that the reason for resigning from his position as party president was because of his failure to command authority and order in his party.

Basaiawmoit, in a press conference held on Monday had informed that the Central Executive Committee (CEC) had conveyed the message to the two HSPDP MLAs (Samlin Malngiang and Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar) that they should not participate in the swearing-in ceremony held at Raj Bhavan today.

However, both the HSPDP MLAs attended the swearing-in ceremony and Samlin Malngiang has also been inducted as a new Cabinet Minister in the Conrad-led coalition Government in Meghalaya.

According to the letter, Ardent said that he has taken this decision as he has failed as a leader to realize the party’s aims and objectives.

In the letter, Ardent said, “It makes no sense for me to lead the party because as a leader, I could not handle my own MLAs.”

Ardent had earlier stated that the UDP had not taken the party’s trust into consideration while projecting Conrad as the new CM.

Furthermore, the HSPDP had also stated that it favoured a non-Congress and non-BJP Government in Meghalaya. But the fact remains that the BJP is a part of the coalition Government under the leadership of Conrad Sangma.

It may be mentioned that the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance is a coalition of the NPP (19) with UDP (6), BJP (2), HSPDP (2), PDF (4) and one independent. The former HSPDP leader has earlier said, “NPP had already projected Prestone Tynsong as the Chief Minister if voted to power and if Conrad Sangma becomes the CM, it will be a let down to the electorates in Khasi and Jaintia hills.”