Shillong, Jan 22: Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) President, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said that the National People’s Party (NPP) and the People Democratic Front (PDF) are directly or indirectly linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Speaking at a meeting organized by the United Democratic Party (UDP) at Bakur, Dawki to drum up support for UDP candidate, Lahkmen Rymbui, Basaiawmoit said, while in Manipur, they have a BJP-NPP government, in the KHADC, they have a PDF-BJP-NPP coalition.

The PDF is being led by the KHADC chief executive member (CEM), Pynshngai̱lang N. Syiem and the Executive Committee in KHADC under the leadership of Syiem, comprised of BJP MDC, Antonio War, besides PDF members РBanteidor Lyngdoh, Hadrian Lyngdoh, Latiplang Kharkongor and others.

The MDCs of NPP – H.S. Shylla, Pynïaid Sing Syiem, Jansing Tynsong, Victor Rani are also supporting the PDF in KHADC.

Basaiawmoit said that the communal designs have been widely reported in the national media and the agenda of BJP is a direct attack on the communal harmony , especially in a state like Meghalaya.

The UDP and HSPDP has forged a pre-poll alliance for 36 Assembly seats in Khasi-Jaintia Hills region in the ensuing Assembly elections, slated to be held on February 27.

Basaiawmoit also cautioned the electorate to be wary of those who were in the Dr Mukul Sangma-led government, while it suited them. “Those who lauded the Chief Minister as a true leader, they became turncoats when enticed by better prospects, and they now lambasted their same true leader. The same people who were responsible for the misgivings of the government are now draped a new, promising to bring good governance as if, the same tea from a teapot would taste better in a new cup.”

He likened the NPP to be baiters who having realized their weakening position in Garo Hills, have managed to entice ex-MLAs into their fold with tall promises so that this perception of strength in Khasi Jaintia Hills would help them leverage their dwindling position in Garo Hills.

Stating that the Congress has been rejected pan India, the HSPDP chief said that the objective of the regional alliance is to provide the people with a strong and determined alternative to bring about a clean, transparent and effective government which are the prerequisites of good governance.

He also expressed confidence that the UDP-HSPDP alliance has shown the people the right direction and prepared to shoulder this responsibility in the service of the people.

Earlier in his speech, the UDP candidate, Rymbui justified his joining the party which he attributed to the coming together of the Alliance, which is the aspiration of the people.

He called upon the voters of Amlarem to unite in the ensuing election and vote the party to power, to bring in a corruption free, transparent and development oriented good governance.

UDP vice president Allantry Franklin Dkhar appealed to all, to treat election as a serious exercise in order to not be swayed by the various enticements as the vote will be responsible for the future of the state.