Shillong, June 7: The National People’s Party-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government has been put in a spot of bother as two of its key allies – the UDP and PDF, have come out strongly against the proposal of leasing out the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) distribution circles to the Rural Electrification Corporation Power Distribution Company (RECPDCL).

While the UDP has been modest in its approach by suggesting expert committee and due diligence before going ahead with the proposal, the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) has threatened to take ‘stern action’ if the government goes ahead with the proposed leasing.
PDF president and cabinet minister, Banteidor Lyngdoh on Monday said, “If the state government bypasses the will of the people, the PDF will take stern action” adding that the party is totally against the state government’s move to lease out the distribution circles of MeECL to a company from outside the state.

“We will continue to oppose this as it is the life and death of the people of the state especially for the staff which have been working in the MeECL for past many years now,” Lyngdoh affirmed.

The PDF has 4 MLAs in the 60-member House.

The Agriculture minister also informed that during the cabinet meeting chaired by the chief minister Conrad K Sangma last week, almost all the ministers have also expressed strong reservations against the proposal.

Due to this, the chief minister has decided to again call the state cabinet to further discuss and take a final call on the issue.

“We are hopeful from the party and it is also my personal view that when the cabinet meets (again) on Wednesday, this issue will be scrapped once and for all,” Lyngdoh said.
On possibility of breaking away from alliance

With strong warning coming from the PDF, rumour mills are rife about the possibility of the party pulling away from the MDA, thereby weakening the current NPP-led government.
The PDF chief however refused to give a direct reply to this speculation. He said, “We are here for the people of the state and if there is anything against the people of the state, we have to take strong action.”

“We have to call a party meeting to decide. I tell you from the party’s point of view by any means we will not allow this to happen for the interest of the people of the state,” he said adding “Everything will be discussed again and the cabinet will take a final decision on this.”