Six MDCs of KHADC refuses to turn up in UDA meeting

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 1, 2019

SHILLONG: The meeting of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) held on Wednesday was inconclusive after the six MDCs of the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) refused to turn up.

The six MDCs of the PDA have decided to withdraw support to the UDA led by the United Democratic Party (UDP) and submitted their resignation to chief executive member Teinwell Dkhar on Tuesday.

While NPP MDCs Victor Ranee, Mitchell Wankhar and PDF member Macdalyn Mawlong resigned as executive members, two independents Latiplang Kharkongor, Lambor Malngiang and NPP MDC Gigur Myrthong also quit their posts as chairmen of the advisory committees.

With this, the strength of the two-month-old ruling alliance was reduced from 19 to 13.

“We have decided to postpone the meeting till tomorrow since they (PDA MDCs) informed us that they will not be able to come today as they too are having a meeting,” Dkhar said.

Earlier when asked, the KHADC chief informed that the six members had expressed their unhappiness about the decision of the executive committee to allot Rs 50 lakh to each MDC from the special assistance grant sanctioned by the Centre.

Asked, Dkhar while claiming that the decision was a collective one said, “We have already clarified that only Rs 34 crore of 52 crore was received so far by the Council. Therefore, we decided to allot Rs 50 lakh for each MDC.”

“We have also assured that the MDCs will again be given share from the remaining amount,” he added.

Whether the executive committee will reconsider its decision, Dkhar however said, “The matter will be discussed during the meeting of the alliance.”

On the signature campaign to demand for convening of a special session, the chief executive member however said, “I am really not aware but they are free to do it if they have the majority.”

In their resignation letter, the disgruntled members had said, “…(we) are very sad that our grievances and suggestions has not been responded and many issues has been decided without any collective responsibilities among the UDA members which will affect our people and bring down our image as elected representatives.”

The ruling UDA is comprises of Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) which include the seven United Democratic Party (UDP) and two Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) has seven NPP, one People’s Democratic Front (PDF) and two Independents.