Shillong:
The vice-president of People’s Democratic Front (PDF) James Ban Basaiawmoit has resigned from the party.
Basaiawmoit handed over the resignation letter to PDF president Gavin Miguel Mylliem. His resignation comes close on the heels of reports of PDF’s merger with the National People’s Party (NPP).
Speaking to reporters, he said he did not attend the central executive committee meeting of the PDF on Tuesday but he learned that all the members of the CEC will merge with the NPP.
Furthermore, he said, “I do not want to be among one of those people to dissolve or to blow out the candle, so it is better for me to leave the party. I am someone who loves to be in a regional party. When we form a party, we make sure to discuss issues of the public.”
The vice-president criticised the move to merge with the NPP, adding that people will be left confused if leaders choose to defect from one party to another.
Basaiawmoit who is a former MDC from PDF said that he will not be in any party for the time being.
It may be mentioned that PDF is expected to merge with the NPP on May 6.
NPP national president and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday informed that the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) will join his party.
During an election campaign at Lawmei village under the Sohiong constituency, Sangma said, “I am very happy to inform you that today the PDF had its CEC meeting and they have decided that all their MLAs and all the party leaders will merge into the NPP,” the chief minister added.
Sangma was in Sohiong drumming up support for party candidate Samlin Malgniang.
The NPP national president while addressing the gathering said that this election is different from the general election.
“Here, you already know who your chief minister is and he is standing in front of you. You know that the government is a NPP-led government and you know that this is the government that will be able to bring development for the people,” he said.
In the video, it can also be seen that the chief minister along with the party candidate Malngiang and various others shouting slogans like “Long Live NPP” and marching through the village.