Grace Kharpuri demands action against five MDCs of PDF

Shillong, Oct 8: Action against five MDCs including a minister of the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) was sought for indulging in “anti-party” activities.

The action was sought by PDF’s MDC from Nongskhen, Grace Mary Kharpuri after five MDCs of the party including Agriculture Minister of the MDA government, Banteidor Lyngdoh extended their support to an Executive Committee in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) led by the Chief Executive Member, H.S. Shylla.

Kharpuri demanded the disciplinary committee of the PDF should initiate action against the five MDCs, failing which, the President and Secretary of the party should immediately step down.

On October 5, a letter of support was submitted to Shylla by the five MDCs which include Parliamentary Party leader of the PDF, James Ban Basaiawmoit, Banteidor Lyngdoh, Hadrian Lyngdoh, Morningstar Mawsor and Albinus Lyngdoh.

Kharpuri alleged that the decision of the five MDCs was taken without the knowledge of the party’s Central Working Committee (CWC).

Earlier, the CWC had also suspended three MDCs – Latiplang Kharkongor, James Sylliang and Blanding Warjri – for supporting the EC led by Shylla in KHADC.

“I am not against the NPP-led EC in the KHADC, but against the action of the five MDCs who failed to respect the decision of the party which is a big embarrassment. Infact all the five MDcs were part of the party’s decision to suspend the three other MDCs – Latiplang Kharkongor, James Sylliang and Blanding Warjri,” she said.

Informing that a committee which comprises of the four MLAs was constituted to resolve the present imbroglio within the PDF on September 28, Kharpuri however said, “One of the MLAs (Banteidor Lyngdoh) has only proved that he is a person without any principle by violating the constitution of the party.”

Threatening that she may have to take a call on whether to resign from the party, she said, “I am still waiting for the decision of my supporters because this party is a party which is so disorganized, indiscipline and weak in leadership.”

Kharpuri went to the extent of suggesting dissolution of the PDF as a political party. “Being a new political party instead of taking measures how to further strengthen the party, it was made to become an individual party.”

Kharpuri also alleged that just because PN Syiem, the chairman of the PDF, is no longer in power, this has made the five MDCs to betray their leader because of their own “political interest.”