‘UDP scared of Act’

SHILLONG, DEC 9: Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) on Friday said the UDP, which is its coalition partner in the ruling PDF at the KHADC, fears the toothless anti-dual post Act of the state government. KHNAM reaction came after UDP) chief Donkupar Roy made a statement on the issue and also accused the Mukul led government for passing an ineffective law, forcing 7 MLAs to resign as members of the two ADCs.

Appealing to electorates of the 7 unrepresented seats in KHADC and JHADC to support the UDP candidates in the upcoming bye-elections on December 13, Roy had said the appeal has been made that UDP has much better  candidates than KHNAM.

“If he (Roy) is alleging Mukul for passing the Act, then what made the UDP to order its MLAs to tender their resignations as members of the district council? Doesn’t this mean that they are afraid of the Act,” KHNAM president Pyndapborthiaw Saibon said.

He added, “It also shows the UDP’s lacks  of understanding on this issue even after the Election Commission of India (ECI) had maintained that the MDC post is not an office of profit.”

Two MLAs of the UDP were also among the 7 who have resigned as MDCs following the passing of the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of Legislative Assembly, Meghalaya) (Amendment) Act, 2015 last year.

Saibon further reiterated that the KHNAM’s decision to contest the bye-elections was taken after the hasty action by the UDP and HSPDP MDCs who resigned from the district council.

“We have to contest because they (UDP and HSPDP) are afraid of a toothless Act,” he said.