Shillong: The meeting of the parliamentary party of the Peoples' Democratic Front (PDF) on Wednesday decided to allow Pynshngain N. Syiem to continue as the chief executive member of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.
"After the meeting, which discussed several issues, all members of the parliamentary party took a decision that I will continue as its leader," PDF chairman Syiem told reporters here.
Clarifying reports that he will step down as chief executive member, Syiem said, "I have held the post of chief executive member for almost three years and after the Assembly elections, we thought it will be a burden for me. But after the meeting, it was decided that I must continue as the CEM," he said.
On allegations of distribution of schemes to candidates, Syiem said, "We normally give schemes up to Rs 3 crore to be implemented by the council members. But there are others that we take up from the executive council's side which are within the jurisdiction of the council."
On a specific query on council numbers, Syiem said, "These are all rumours. If we have 11 members in a House of 29, then the remaining seats is 18. How can there be 20 more members? This is wrong."
He said the PDF is a coalition partner of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance but it is very clear that the National People's Party (NPP) will lead the state government but the council will be under the PDF.
Asked on the support of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP), who are with the PDF in the MDA government, Syiem said if they work together at the government level, then they cannot work with the Congress in the council.
"How will we work here (council) with the Congress when the MDA is a non-Congress alliance? The PDF does not accept this. They have to support the PDF. If they do not, what will be the future of the MDA government?" he questioned.
He also said it is the duty of the NPP, the UDP and the HSPDP to work with the PDF in the council.
On the utilisation of Rs 32 crore for council schemes, he said, "The allocation was made for 2017-18. In 2015-16, we got the special assistance. But there was a delay in implementing the scheme and the time passed just before the Assembly election when we could not take up any project. If we do not speed up implementation of the projects, we will miss 2018-19 as well. As the CEM, it is my responsibility to speed it up."
He said from the Rs 32 crore, already Rs 28 crore has been utilised for council projects.
"We have given Rs 5 crore for Mawthawbah, Rs 7 crore for the Khasi traditional resort at Jingkieng Kalong. These will generate income for the council. The council members' schemes depend on the policy of the executive council," he said.