NPP-led coalition strength in JHADC goes up to 18 MDCs
Shillong, Feb 25: The National People’s Party (NPP), which was two short of the majority mark in Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) elections, has mustered the support of 18 MDCs and all set to form the new executive committee (EC).
NPP strongman in Jaintia Hills and deputy chief minister Sniawbhalang Dhar told reporters that four MDCs of the party’s allies have extended support and one independent MDC joined the party, increasing the coalition’s strength to 18 in JHADC.
Independent MDC from Rymbai-Khliehriat, Violent Lyngdoh, has decided to join the NPP, said the NPP national general secretary after a meeting with alliance partners on Monday evening.
The United Democratic Party (UDP), which won 3 seats and Independent MDC from Jowai South, Moonlight Pariat, also extended support to NPP to form the new EC in JHADC.
“We thank the people of Jaintia Hills for reposing their faith and trust in the NPP by giving their mandate in 13 seats,” Dhar said.
The meeting also decided to nominate the former chief executive member (CEM) Thombor Shiwat to head the EC.
On NPP’s poor performance in KHADC polls, Dhar said, “We got only 4 seats from Khasi Hills. We will do a post-mortem to find out the reason.”
Refuting the VPP’s allegation on the use muscle power in Jaintia Hills, the NPP leader said, “They (VPP got 17 seats in Khasi Hills, so does it mean they were using muscle power? Therefore there is nothing as such in politics, people enjoyed their rights.”
Claiming that the VPP’s base in Khasi Hills has weakened despite its resounding victory, he explained, “The VPP was able to win in only 17 out of 29 constituencies in Khasi Hills region. Their support has reduced drastically because in the last MP elections, they won from all 29 constituencies in Khasi Hills.”
Dhar also informed that a meeting of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) will be held on Tuesday to discuss the outcome of ADC polls.
