Basaiawmoit resigns as PDF VP in protest against merger move

SHILLONG, MAY 3: Vice president of the People Democratic Front (PDF) James Ban Basaiawmoit on Wednesday tendered his resignation as a mark of protest against the move to merge with the National People’s Party (NPP).

Basaiawmoit handed over his resignation letter to PDF president Gavin M Mylliem. This came after a merger decision was announced by NPP national president and chief minister Conrad K Sangma during his campaigning in Sohiong constituency.

Speaking to media persons, Basaiawmoit said he decided to quit the party as a mark of protest against the decision of the two MLAs to merge with the NPP and to dissolve the PDF.

When asked, the former Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah MDC said that as per information received by him, all CEC members have decided to merge with the NPP with an aim to dissolve the PDF. “However, personally I am against this decision and I will not agree with this decision,” he said.

Earlier, Conrad K Sangma had announced that the PDF will merge with the NPP on May 6.

“Today, the PDF held its central executive meeting, in which it was decided that the PDF as a party will merge with the NPP along with all their MLAs and party leaders at a programme in Shillong on May 6,” he said.