Conrad's candidature as CM worries HSPDP

From A Reporter

SHILLONG, March 5: The Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) has expressed its disappointment and disagreement over the proposal by the United Democratic Party (UDP) on the Chief Ministerial candidate for Meghalaya.

It may be mentioned that the UDP had proposed the me of Conrad Sangma, NPP tiol president and Tura MP to lead the Government in Meghalaya.

Addressing, reporters in the city on Monday, HSPDP State president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said, “We have been in alliance with the UDP since before the election and however this matter was not consulted with us and hence we feel so embarrassed. Another thing we don’t want the BJP to be in the Government.”

He said the HSPDP has the reservation against the BJP as a coalition partner of the new Government and that since long before the election till date the party had been advocating the need for a Government free of the Congress and the BJP in Meghalaya.

“Since the number is there, the new coalition can form the Government without the BJP,” he said, adding, “because minus the BJP and the Congress, we still have 32 MLAs belonging to the the NPP, RDA and PDF; so where is the question of instability.”

Basaiawmoit further added, “NPP had projected Prestone Tynsong as the Chief Ministerial candidate  if the party was voted to power. Now, hence if Conrad Sangma becomes the CM, it will be a let down to the electorates in Khasi and Jaintia hills.”

Basaiawmoit further said that the matter was still under consideration of its alliance partner, the UDP, which will intimate its decision very soon.

“Since the UDP has assured to discuss this with its members before taking a call, it would be too early for us to say that our partner has betrayed us. As of now we will only say that not consulting us on the issue was just a mistake,” he aded.