PN Syiem victim of party leadership in State: Pala

FROM OUR STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, Feb 1: After months of trying to portraying his neutral stand on the tussle between the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) PN Syiem on the issue of dual post, the two time Member of Parliament (MP) from Shillong seat Congress leader Vincent H Pala has virtually displayed his true colours.

Although Pala is known to have been mentoring Syiem since the first political clash with the Chief Minister erupted, yet he had been maintaining his innocence rather pretending to distance himself from the political melee within the Congress fold. However, his speech at a public function in Pongkung, 50 kms from here eventually unveiled his true colour as he publicly stated that PN Syiem is a victim of the party leadership in the State for he was one of the few leaders within the party to have stood up and be the chairman of the Election campaign committee during the last Lok Sabha elections.

“The introduction of the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) (Amendment) Act, 2015 brought by the Meghalaya United Alliance-II (MUA-II) is to victimize him (PN Syiem),” Pala was quoted of saying.

PN Syiem, a two MLA and present CEM of the KHADC has refused to relinquished one of the two posts and has move the court on the issue.

On Pala’s discreet role of a mentor, the CEM did not deny the fact. “Our MP had been encouraging me on ground that I have taken the right step and direction,” stated Syiem while admitting that he had been had been having regular meetings with the MP both in New Delhi and Shillong.

Pala, known to be a Mukul Sangma baiter could not be contacted through the phone to understand his statement with ramifications within the state Congress. However political alyst sees more up the sleeves of the MP especially when the undercurrents of dissension exist in the Congress party.