Shillong, Mar 14: The People’s Democratic Front (PDF) has decided to back Pynshngaiñlang N Syiem to continue as the chief executive member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).

Syiem also accepted the request of members to continue in the post.

The PDF decided to give this support after the matter was discussed in the meeting of the PDF parliamentary party held here on Wednesday.

Recently, Syiem expressed his desire to step down as CEM. Syiem said that he thought of stepping down as CEM since he wanted to concentrate more on strengthening the PDF.

Syiem told reporters that meeting has unanimously decided to repose its confident on him as the Parliamentary Party leader and requested him not to quit from the CEM post.

On the implementation of Rs 32 crore, sanctioned by the Central government for the year 2017-18, Syiem said that he would clarify the same in the Council’s budget session to be held on March 20.

MDCs of the UDP, HSPDP and Congress had recently expressed strong reservation over the implementation of the Centre’s special assistance grant and accused the CEM of abusing his power by allotting work orders for implementation of schemes under the special assistance grant to PDF candidates prior to Assembly polls.

Meanwhile the PDF urged the UDP and HSPDP which are part of the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) coalition government not work with the Congress in KHADC.

“When they (UDP and HSPDP) are part of the MDA, how is it that in the KHADC they will work with the Congress?,” Syiem asked.

When asked if the name of the coalition in KHADC might be changed, Syiem said, this can be done only after discussing the matter with all the coalition partners.