The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), a minor constituent of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, is critical of the extension in the term of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) by one year.
Two separate extensions of six months each were granted by the state government in order for KHADC constituencies to be redrawn to reflect population chances, a process known as delimitation. The Jaintia Hills ADC’s term was similarly extended.
HSPDP president KP Pangniang today said that the party is not happy as it feels that the delimitation should have been carried out well before the scheduled end of the council’s term in the first half of this year.
“Since day one we always wanted the MDC elections to be conducted as usual but the government constituted the delimitation committee and our party feels that this was done in a hasty manner,” Pangniang said.
Everyone knows that the KHADC term is for five years and there was plenty of time to adjust the constituency boundaries properly, he added, dubbing the extension an unwelcome sign.
Asked if the government is afraid that the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) will sweep the KHADC election, Pangniang said that there is no question of fear and, for its part, the HSPDP is ready to face the election whether now or in 2025.
