UDP banks on PN Syiem me for electoral gains

Staff Correspondent

Shillong, Dec 6: In what could be termed as a tactical move to take on the Congress, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has asked the electorates to vote for the party nominee in the upcoming bypolls to the six vacant seats in the two Autonomous District Councils in order to strengthen the hands of the present Chief Executive member (CEM) of the KHADC Pynshngain N Syiem.  

Syiem is the expelled Congress MLA/MDC who continued to rule the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) with the support of the UDP, KHM the lone newly inducted member of the BJP and Independents in the thirty member house.  

UDP president Donkupar Roy told newsmen on Tuesday that the party wanted to strengthen Syiem because of the circumstances forced by the Congress led government on the people due to its animosity towards the latter.

Alluding to Prevention of Disqualification (Members of the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) Amendment Bill, 2015 to prohibit people holding one public office from holding another elected office, the UDP president said the act does not hold water after the court order and the Election Commission of India (ECI) observations.

Roy  further stated, “This coming bye-election to the ADCs is forced by the government and not the wishful thinking of any individual or political party”, adding, “ An act in the me of office of profit was legislated to target P.N Syiem who was known to have challenge the government that led to a confrontation between the government and the ADC”.  

After the act came into force, seven MDCs resigned due to fear of disqualification as MLAs by the current CEM stood tall and took the matter to the court besides vowing to strengthen the District council set up in line with the sixth schedule of the Indian constitution.

Taking this as an opportunity to push the party agenda before the voters, Roy said, “Amongst the contenders for the seven seats, the UDP is upfront and if the UDP wins, it will definitely back P.N Syiem continuance and his endeavor to build up the district councils.”

The UDP is fielding candidates in all the seven vacant seats with optimism that it will back at least four seats, if the words of the other senior functiory are to be believed.