PDF declares Syiem as its CM’s candidate for Meghalaya polls

Shillong, Dec 20: The People’s Democratic Front (PDF) has declared former Congress legislator Pynshngain N Syiem as its chief ministerial candidate for the 2018 Meghalaya assembly elections.

The newly floated Meghalaya-based political party declared Mr Syiem’s name as its chief ministerial candidate at the public rally here on Tuesday.
Mr Syiem, who is also the Chief Executive Member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, had resigned as member of the state assembly last week a year after the Congress had suspended him for his anti-party activities.
Meanwhile, Mr Syiem said that no political party is “untouchable” in politics and was willing to work together with any party after the 2018 assembly elections.
However, he made clear that the PDF will “not compromise” on its ideology.
When asked why the people of the state would vote for the PDF – a newly formed party, he said that it has a new vision for the people of Meghalaya.
He said the PDF was formed to protect the interest of the indigenous people of the state.
“Our main agenda is to make policies for our own people which will fit our system,” Mr Syiem said.
Meanwhile, the PDF also released its 16-point agendas highlighting the party top priorities which include bringing a corruption-free government, to strengthen the provisions of the Sixth Scheduled to the Indian Constitution and laws to protect traditional headmen.
The party also seeks to come up with laws to protect the rights of the farmers, daily wage earners, addressing the unemployment problems by ensuring a transparent job recruitment policy, and others.
The PDF assured laws to protect the rights and safety of women and children in the state besides giving special attention to persons with disabilities. However, the party fails to spell out its stand on how to deal with the problem of influx and illegal immigration into the state.
Meanwhile, the 22 candidates of the party which includes two women – sitting MDC Grace Mary Kharpuri and Sarita Lyngdoh, wife of former minister (late) Founder S Cajee, were also introduced to the people during the rally. UNI