Shillong, Apr 10: The Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) maintained that it would not compromise with its issues while supporting the six-party coalition Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government being led by the NPP.

After the central executive committee (CEC) meeting of the party held here on Tuesday, HSPDP’s acting president, K. Phlastingwell Pangniang told reporters that the party has asked its MLAs to push forward main issues raised by the party which include the stand of the party to oppose mining of uranium in the state, implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system to check influx and illegal immigration, resolving the pending inter-state boundary dispute with Assam and other issues.

The HSPDP has also decided to accept the resignation of its president, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit and in his place, vice president, K.P. Pangniang was asked to take over as acting president.

On March 6, Basaiawmoit resigned as president owing moral responsibility for the HSPDP’s defeat as well as the party’s inability to stop its two MLAs from supporting the MDA government.

Basaiawmoit had said, “It was of no meaning to lead the party when as a party we cannot rein in our MLAs.”

Pangniang said that according to the constitution of the party, the vice-president can take charge as acting president.

He also said that defeat of the HSPDP in the Assembly polls was the responsibility of all leaders and the president alone cannot be held responsible for the defeat in the elections.

While HSPDP MLA from Sohïong, Samlin Malngiang is the cabinet minister in-charge PHE, his colleague from Mawkyrwat, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar is the chairman of Meghalaya Non-Conventional Energy Agency in the MDA government.

Tongkhar said that if the party is convinced that its demands are within the capacity of the state government to implement and if the government refuses, the party will take a call on the matter.

“Taking into the consideration that the party for the past many years has been pushing these issues only from outside (as opposition), now it is for us to try again from within since we are part of the government,” Tongkhar said.

On the party’s view with regards to an idea of the chief minister Conrad K Sangma to issue work permit to Bangladeshi nationals, the party leaders maintained that they are not willing to accept this idea.

Informing that he did seek a clarification from the CM on the matter, cabinet minister Samlin Malngiang said, “If at all there is such a move (to issue work permit to Bangladeshi nationals) that will affect the people of the state, and we will not accept it.”

Defending the CM, Renikton while expressing his confidence on the leadership of Conrad as a young and dynamic leader of the state, said, “He (CM) is a person who is willing to admit and accept if he is wrong.”

On the chief minister’s statement that ILP is not the solution to address the concern over influx and illegal immigration, he said that the party would welcome if the state government has effective alternative mechanisms to deal with the problem.

The MLA however said that the party is yet study the anti-influx comprehensive mechanisms which include setting up of entry and exit points for checking influx and illegal immigration into the state.

The MDA is yet to come up with its common minimum programme which will include major issues included in the manifestos of various political parties that are supporting the government.

The parties which are part of the MDA government led by the NPP include, UDP, HSPDP, PDF, BJP and the NCP, besides Independents.

Meanwhile, Tongkhar said that UDP senior working president Bindo M Lanong, who is the chairman of a sub-committee for drafting a common minimum programme was working on this issue and the exercise would be finalised before the conclusion of the ongoing Assembly session.