(file photo)

Shillong, July 23: The disciplinary committee of the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) has referred the case of anti-party activities by 3 MDCs to the party’s central executive committee (CEC) to take a call whether to suspend or expel them from the party.

The decision was taken at the meeting of the disciplinary committee of the PDF chaired by its chairman, Gavin Mylliem, who is also the PDF legislator from Sohra here on Monday.

Mawhati MDC, James Sylliang, Nongthymmai MDC Latiplang Kharkongor and Mawthadraishan MDC Blanding Warjri were alleged to have indulged in anti-party activities for going against the party direction by supporting the HS Shylla-led Khasi Hills Democratic Alliance (KHDA) in KHADC.

“We have decided to refer the matter to the party’s CEC for its final decision whether to suspend or to expel them from the party,” PDF general secretary Auspicious Lyngdoh told reporters after the meeting.

He said the decision was after the three MDCs failed to response to the show-cause notices issued to them and also rejected the call for talks.

Lyngdoh said that the failure of these MDCs to support the PDF candidates in the recently held elections to the post of chief executive member and deputy chairman is taken as anti-party activities.

Asked, the general secretary said, “The party had tried to call them for talks but they refused to meet the party leaders.”

The PDF is having 11 MDCs in the 29-member House. However, the party is divided with 8 MDCs supporting the opposition People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) and 3 supporting the ruling Khasi Hills Democratic Alliance (KHDA) in the Council.

Whether it was because the party failed to address the grievances aired by these MDCs for change of leadership in the Counci, Lyngdoh however said the party in a meeting of the CEC held recently has change the Parliamentary Party leader in the KHADC.

“We have removed Pynshngaiñlang N Syiem, former KHADC chief as PP leader and appointed James Ban Basaiawmoit in his place. But we fail to understand what made these MDCs to rebel against the party,” he said.