Shillong June 18: In a latest political development, the opposition Congress has extended support to the coalition People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
The PDA in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) is being led by the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) with P.N. Syiem as the Chief Executive Member.
The opposition Congress has 4 MDCs in the KHADC and all of them decided to extend support to the Executive Committee led by Syiem.
With this development, almost all political parties are supporting the PDA coalition in KHADC except the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), which has only one member, Adelbert Nongrum who is also the MLA of North Shillong constituency.
The letter of support signed by the 4 Congress MDCs was submitted to Syiem, who is the chairman of the PDA.
The PDA comprised of the PDF, United Democratic Party (UDP), Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP), National People’s Party (NPP) and an Independent MDC.
“We resolved to extend our unconditional support to the executive committee of the PDA under your (PN Syiem) leadership,†the Congress MDCs stated in the letter.
The four MDCs include Lamphrang Blah, who is also leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party in the Council, Kimfa S. Marbaniang, Donevan Wanlang and Process T. Sawkmie.
Sawkmie, who is also Congress MLA from Mawlai, is the opposition chief whip in the State Legislative Assembly.
Meanwhile the KHADC chief said that he was happy that the Congress has come forward to support the PDA.
“As a leader, I feel that this is important to further strengthen the EC so that we can take up issues concerning the indigenous community,†he said.
Syiem was a Congress leader but later floated the PDF after he was suspended by the Congress for three years when he rebelled against the leadership of former chief minister, Mukul Sangma.
Congress MDC from Mawlai, PT Sawkmie said that the support extended to the PDA was based on issues and with an aim to ensure that the EC lasts till the end.
According to Sawkmie, the decision was also taken after seeing that some members of the Council were making desperate move to topple the EC led by Syiem.