Shillong, Feb 6: Sending a clear message to all its contesting candidates, the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) has already appointed sitting MDC from Sohryngkham constituency, Pynïaid Sing Syiem as the new Parliamentary Party (PP) leader in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).

A PP leader is the one who would either be elected as the Chief Executive Member (CEM) or as Leader of Opposition in the Council.

The appointment was issued by NPP state working president, D. War on Wednesday evening, an indication that Syiem would be the CEM if he is re-elected from Sohryngkham in the upcoming elections to the KHADC slated for February 27.

Syiem is seeking re-election from Sohryngkham on NPP ticket.

The NPP is fielding 18 candidates in the upcoming elections to the KHADC slated for February 27.

Syiem, who got elected on HSPDP ticket in the 2014 elections from Sohryngkham, joined the NPP before the 2018 Assembly polls.

The NPP has three sitting MDCs in KHADC – Pynïaid Sing Syiem (Sohryngkham), Jansing Tynsong (Laitkroh-Lyngkyrdem) and Victor Ranee (Jirang).

However another Syiem (Pynshngaiñlang N. Syiem) who is the sitting MDC from Mawsynram had also joined the NPP. He deserted Mawsynram, and now he contesting the elections on NPP ticket from Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah constituency.

Pynshngaiñlang N. Syiem was the CEM of the KHADC, but he was ousted after MDCs of the KHADC elected H.S. Shylla to the CEM post on July 13, 2018.