Fissures in UDP-PDF relations

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, Feb 5: There seems to be a fissure in the relationship between the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Pynshngain N Syiem. It may be mentioned that in a meeting of the Nongkrem circle of the UDP on February 3, members of the party severely criticised Syiem and alleged that the CEM was indulging in “anti-UDP activities”.

Nongkrem, MDC constituency is represented by Hispreaching Son Shylla of the UDP. He had won the by-election held in December last year. It may be mentioned that the UDP is a constituent of the People’s Democratic Forum (PDF) in the KHADC.

The UDP Nongkrem circle alleged that Syiem had been against the UDP since the by-elections to the six seats of the KHADC held last year and is still continuing to hinder the party in the constituency.  

The Nongkrem circle of the UDP also alleged that Syiem is trying to interfere in matters pertaining to the meeting scheduled on February 7, 2017 at Madan Laitkor to oppose the MUDA encroachment into the Sixth Scheduled Areas. The UDP members alleged that the CEM suggested to some members of the General Executive Committee of Laitkor Dorbar Pyllun who went to invite him to this meeting not to allow Shylla and MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit to speak at the meeting. “With such statements being made by a constituent of the ruling PDF the Congress is waiting in the wings to get back to power in the KHADC,” a political observer said. There are Congress six MDCs in the KHADC. There are also reports that the Congress is ready to support Shylla as CEM. According to sources the Congress is ready to support any political party or individual just to dethrone Syiem from the seat of the CEM. Meanwhile, the meeting also slammed the KHADC CEM for his failure to earmark equal amount of Rs 3 crore to Nongkrem Constituency as was done for other constituencies.

Nongkrem, UDP, Circle said that they were informed that an amount of only Rs 1.12 crore through various scheme has been earmarked for the constituency and demanded that the KHADC provide the remaining amount of Rs. 1.88 crore.