HSPDP accepts Shylla's challenge for debate

FROM A REPORTER

SHILLONG, July 19: A day after HS Shylla, United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate for the upcoming district council bye-polls, challenged the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) for an open debate, the Nongrem HSPDP on Tuesday accepted the challenge.  

The HSPDP, however, put the onus on Shylla to fix the time and day for the debate.

Shylla had challenged the HSPDP to hold a debate on traditiol institutions and headmen issue, Article 244 (2) which is for strengthening the district councils, encroachment by MUDA, compulsory registration of marriage Act, 2012 and MLA schemes.

Addressing a press conference here, Nongkrem HSPDP secretary Hubert Riang said, “We are ready for the open debate and he (Shylla) can call us at anytime to debate on the five issues.”

The Nongkrem HSPDP has also rubbished the allegations leveled against their party president Ardent M Basaiawmoit in connection with the MLA scheme in which Shylla has accused him of using the MLA scheme to buy votes.

Countering the allegations made by Shylla, he said, “The MLA from Nongrem he has never implemented the scheme before the elections and this is the reason why the people of the constituency have elected him as their representative for the past 8 years.”

He also rubbished the allegations made by Shylla that the people of Nongkrem constituency are currently under ‘president rule’ after HSPDP leader Basiawmoit was elected as their representative.

“If we look at the encroachment of MUDA issue it was Basiawmoit who stepped forward and took it the issue to the state government and it was because of him, MUDA had to reduce the area from 174 sq km to 50 sq km,” he said.