‘Withdrawal of support to MDA is Syiem’s personal opinion’

A Reporter

SHILLONG, July 14: The People’s Democratic Front (PDF) parliamentary party (PP) leader in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) James Ban Basaiawmoit said that the statement made by Pynshngain N Syiem, chairman of the party, asking the MLAs to withdraw their support to the MDA government if he was removed from power as the CEM of KHADC was his personal opinion.

It may be reminded that Syiem had threatened to withdraw his support to the MDA government as many of the National People’s Party (NPP) along with other MDCs from other political parties in KHADC had rebelled against him.

However, all the four PDF MLAs within the MDA alliance later met Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to assure him that they will continue to support the alliance till the current term of the government ends.

“It’s true that Pynshngain N Syiem founded the People Democratic Front (PDF) after he was suspended for a period of three years by the Congress party; however his statement was his personal opinion,” Basaiawmoit said.

He also said that the partners within the MDA alliance in the state government are well aware that this is his (PN Syiem) personal opinion and not of the PDF and hence there is no threat to the government.

He said if Syiem had had made the statement as per the direction from the party, then a written letter would also have followed.

Basaiawmoit said that there no individual within the party is bigger than the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the party.

Earlier, PDF MLA from Mawkynrew constituency also the Minister of Sports and youth Affairs in the state government had said that all the MLAs will continue to support the NPP-led government and the statement made by PN Syiem will be taken up for discussion with the CEC of the party.