Shillong: Two legislators from the People’s Democratic Front (PDF), one of the constituents in the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, are likely to merge with the National People’s Party (NPP.)
PDF MLAs, Banteidor Lyngdoh and Gavin Miquel Mylliem are in “advance level” talks with the NPP and the announcement of their formally joining the NPP would be made soon.
“Talks are at the advanced stage with the NPP leadership. A formal announcement in this regard would be made soon,”a senior PDF leader told UNI on condition of anonymity.
He said the two legislators would join the NPP after clearing some of the legal hurdles.
The two PDF legislators would have minimum legal issues as the PDF have won just the two seats in the assembly polls that were held in February 27 this year.
“Most of the party leaders and workers are inclined to merge with the NPP,” the PDF leader claimed.
The NPP’s tally is likely to increase from 26 to 28 in the 60-member House assembly. The ruling MDA is comprised of the United Democratic Party (11), two members each from the Bharatiya Janata Party and Hill State People’s Democratic Party, besides two Independents.
“The door of the NPP is always open. We welcome them if they wish to join,” Dr. Wanwei Roy Kharlukhi told UNI.
The PDF was formed in 2017 a year ahead of the 2018 assembly elections. After its formation the PDF won four seats, which included Lyngdoh and Mylliem together with Hamletson Dohling and Jason Mawlong.
However, two of the sitting PDF MLAs, Dohling and Mawlong joined the NPP before the 2023 assembly elections and lost their seats from Mylliem and Umsning respectively.
Dohling was a cabinet minister in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance-I government. He was defeated by Ronnie Lyngdoh of the Congress and recently Dohling was appointed as the advisor to the Chief Minister, which is a cabinet rank.
during the 2023 elections, the PDF contested in nine assembly seats and retained just the two seats from Mawkynrew (Lyngdoh) and Sohra (Mylliem.)
With the two legislators leaving the party, PDF may go the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement way, which too lost its MLAs to other political parties and now has no representations in the assembly.
