HSDP criticizes United Democratic Party

BY-POLL

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

Shillong, Dec 9: Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, on Friday criticized the United Democratic Party’s stand to fight the by-polls to the district councils to "strengthen" the present chief executive member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Pynshngain N Syiem.

Earlier this week, UDP president Dr Donkupar Roy urged voters of the six autonomous district council constituencies going to bye-polls to vote for the party in order strengthen the position of KHADC chief - Syiem.

“By his statement it seems that the UDP itself does not have any capable leaders to lead in the district council,” Basaiawmoit said on Friday evening during an election rally in Iewdak (Laban Market).

The HSPDP has fielded Banrikupar Wahlang, from the Laban-Mawprem constituency for the by-election to the KHADC.

The HSPDP president also said that the Village Administration Bill (VAB) passed by the Executive Committee (EC) led by him in 2014 was far better compared to the Bill passed by the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) EC led by Syiem.

Basaiawmoit alleged the PDF of diluting the origil bill passed in 2014.

“The Executive Committee led by Syiem along with Dr Mukul Sangma brought corrigendum to the origil VAB passed in 2014 by us,” Basaiawmoit alleged.

The HSPDP has also refuted allegations that his demand for inclusion of Meghalaya under Article 371 is to do away with the autonomous district councils.