Shillong, Jan 30: People Democratic Front (PDF) leader, P.N. Syiem said the PDF required no support from others including the BJP in the upcoming Assembly polls.

“When I did not succumb to the dictatorial style of functioning of the chief minister, Mukul Sangma, how you do expect me to succumb to the BJP. We have started on our own, and we have our own issues and agendas,” Syiem told journalists after flagging-off a bike rally campaign here on Tuesday.

The bike rally was organized to let people know about the PDF in different constituencies and highlight its issues and agendas.

He said he would only invite problems if the BJP is allowed to sponsor 8 to 10 seats for the PDF.

“Why should I allow the BJP to back us up. In fact NPP is part of the BJP-led NEDA family and is under the BJP, but the PDF is not part of NEDA,” he said while rubbishing the allegations made by other political parties.

Syiem, who is the CEM of the KHADC claimed that he still survived as CEM till date despite having been suspended by the Congress for three years.

The PDF leader also claimed that the PDF is more popular in rural areas of Khasi-Jaintia Hills region than any other political parties, though it was formed only recently.

He also said that indecisive voters are in favour of the PDF.

Stating that the National People’s Party (NPP) is also popular, Syiem however said, “It is popular only because heavyweights joined its fold.

“But it appears that the wave is only at the surface, and it is just the opposite in ground reality,” he said.

Syiem said that indications were clear that a non-Congress government would be formed after the polls.

Like Manipur where the Congress could not form the government despite emerging as the single largest majority, he said, “In Meghalaya also, it is very clear that even if the Congress gets 20 seats, they will not be able to form the government. They will win not more than 15 seats.”

He further claimed that the Congress has lost its popularity in Khasi-Jaintia Hills except in Garo Hills because of the chief minister.

To another query, the PDF leader said that he doesn’t see Congress nominee from Mawsynram Himalaya M Shangpliang as a threat.

“He (Shangpliang) comes from a bureaucratic background and I am from a political background. So I am more professional than him. He will have to go through some more elections because it takes years to understand political strategies. Therefore, Shangpliang is not a threat to me,” he stated.