Defection of MDCs did not affect PDF alone, says PDF legisaltor

Shillong, Oct 24: People’s Democratic Front (PDF) MLA and Urban Affairs Minister Hamletson Dohling on Wednesday said that not only the PDF that experienced defection of members in the district councils but other parties are also facing the same problem.

Dohling statement came a day after four members of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) which include Latiplang Kharkongor, James Sylliang, Blanding Warjri and Grace Mary Kharpuri resigned from the PDF and remained as Independent members in the Council.

They cited leadership failure in the PDF as one of the reasons for quitting the party.

Dohling however refrained from countering the members, saying the party did not believe in expelling the MDCs because “we did not want to tarnish their image ahead of the upcoming 2019 elections to the KHADC.”

“We did not take decision to expel them as we are not a party which is interested in destroying or tarnishing their (MDCs) image and prestige especially when elections are just round the corner,” Dohling told reporters here on Wednesday.

Latiplang, James and Blanding were under suspension for indulging in “anti-party activities” as they have extended support to the Khasi Hills Democratic Alliance (KHDA) Executive Committee led by Hispreaching Son Shylla of the NPP as the Chief Executive Member.

“We respect their decision and it is not wise to force anybody not to leave or stay. I wish all of them the best,” Dohling said.

Their resignations also came at a time when a sub-committee of the four MLAs of the PDF which has been tasked to come up with a solution to resolve the “misunderstanding” was in the process of submitting its report to the party’s Central Working Committee for necessary action.

Dohling said that the sub-committee will immediately submit its report once Mawkynrew MLA and Minister, Banteidor Lyngdoh, returned from Paris.

Dohling also said that the problem of MDCs defecting from one party to another is common in all the political parties in the state in the absence of anti-defection law in the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs). “Defection of MDCs did not affect the PDF alone. Therefore it is high time that the anti-defection law is introduced in all the three ADCs in the state to prevent defection and ensure stability,” the PDF legislator said.

On the allegations that the PDF did not take action against its five MDCs who had also pledged support the Shylla-led EC, Dohling said, “The five MDCs had informed the party’s president and secretary when they decided to support the EC in KHADC, whereas those suspended MDCs of the party did it without the knowledge of the party leadership.”