Shillong, Sept 7: The United Democratic Party (UDP) has regretted for supporting the People Democratic Forum (PDF) led by suspended Congress MLA/MDC, P.N. Syiem in KHADC, which has now turned into a political party, and alleged that the newly floated political party (People’s Democratic Front) has purchased most of the MDCs by using the special assistance grant sanctioned by the Central government.

“The party regretted for supporting the Forum because this forum which has turned into a political party, has instead used the government’s fund to buy some of our MDCs and some from other political parties,” UDP President, Donkupar Roy told reporters here on Thursday, after releasing the first list of 28 candidates for the upcoming 2018 Assembly election.

The KHADC has received Rs 133.12 crore as special assistance grant from the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. The fund is meant for various developmental activities.

The PDF which is leading the Executive Committee in the KHADC is being led by Syiem as the Chief Executive Member (CEM).

Earlier, the UDP had asked its MDCs to support the Syiem-led Executive Committee in the KHADC but later withdrew support after the latter failed to address the various concerns including the formation of the new regional political party, People’s Democratic Front (PDF).

Initially, the UDP has six MDCs, but the number was reduced to four in the 29-member House. Two of its MDCs – Hispreaching Son Shylla from Nongkrem and Albinus Lyngdoh from Umroi – quit the party to support the ruling Forum, and then joined the Front recently.

Shylla and Lyngdoh were those among the 12 sitting MDCs of the KHADC who have joined the Front. The new political party is likely to be led Syiem, after he resigned as MLA.

The 12 MDCs who have joined the PDF, would also be its official candidates for the upcoming Assembly election.

On the formation of PDF as a political party, the UDP President said, “others have termed MDCs who joined the new party as refugees but to me, they (MDCs) are those who are running out of option. These MDCs, if they cannot respect the mandate of the people then what can you expect from them after the elections.”