Shillong, June 08: MDC from Nongkrem, H.S. Shylla today alleged that the pre-poll alliance between the two regional parties – UDP and HSPDP was formed due to ‘insecurity’ of their presidents – Donkupar Roy and Ardent M Basaiawmoit.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Shylla, who is also the MDC of the UDP in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), said, “The pre-poll alliance was formed not for bringing good governance, but because presidents of the two parties feel insecure, because they have no hope of winning in the upcoming Assembly election from Shella and Nongkrem respectively.”
Shylla also demanded that Roy should step down as president of the UDP for initiating the pre-poll alliance with the HSPDP without proper consultation.
“It would be better for Roy to resign from the top post because the alliance has destroyed the party,” he said.
According to him, the present working presidents – Bindo M. Lanong or Paul Lyngdoh should take over from Roy.
The former KHADC CEM alleged that the decision was taken by the incumbent party president and Sohra MLA Titos Chyne.
“The CEC held last month was for reviewing the petition of the 4 MDCs, but this was not discussed, and instead the issue of pre-poll alliance came up,” he said.
He said, “Instead of discussing in the CEC about the modalities of the pre-poll alliance before taking a final decision, this was however not taken into consideration by the president who went ahead to announce the formation of the alliance.”
Shylla said that the alliance would surely destroy the UDP since the party president has made a big mistake by agreeing for a friendly contest in constituencies – Mawkynrew, Mylliem and Nongkrem, which has disappointed many in the party.
Stating that the pre-poll alliance with the HSPDP should be cancelled, Shylla alleged that the need to have an alliance was a panic reaction of the HSPDP president.
“Basaiawmoit had earlier maintained that the HSPDP was favoring post-poll alliance, and he had even projected himself as chief ministerial candidate since he was confident that the HSPDP would emerge as the single largest party in 2018. However Basaiawmoit changed his stand after his party came third in the KHADC bye-elections from Nongkrem in December last year,” Shylla said.
Meanwhile, Shylla also said that he may also resign from the UDP, and would contest the upcoming 2018 elections against Basaiawmoit.
“My decision not to contest the MLA election has disappointed the people of Nongkrem especially those who are anti-Ardent,” he said.