SHILLONG, March 6: The political tug-of-war between the Congress and United Democratic Party, lately rechristened the United Parliamentary Forum (UPF), has swung a little towards the former. On Thursday night, the three legislators of the People's Democratic Movement (PDM) suddenly decided not to support the UPF on government formation.With just three days left for the trial of strength of the Congress-led minority government of S C Marak, the sudden turnaround by the PDM has caught UPF leaders by surprise. The UPF, with 34 legislators on its side, had been sure of throwing out the 26-member minority government of Marak.The PDM, however, has declared that it will not align itself with any group for now. Justifying its decision to withdraw support to the UPF, the party says it was unhappy at UPF leaders' "lack of respect and discipline" towards the agreement arrived at between them.It also expressed shock at what it called the Hill State People's Democratic Party's (HSPDP) double-standards - on onehand extending support to the Congress for the formation of an executive committee for the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and on the other, aligning with the PDF at the State level. The PDM has even accused UPF leaders of procrastination in chalking out a common minimum programme.But the UPF isn't giving up hope as yet. Friday morning saw the residence of its chairman, B B Lyngdoh, milling with party legislators and workers. Besides the scheduled meeting of UPF legislators, it was also an occasion for head-counting. As the MLAs drove into Lyngdoh's official Rupshi Bungalow, party volunteers tick-marked those who had arrived.When Independent legislators F A Khanglam, Augustine Marak and A T Mondal did not turn up, they seemed a bit worried. However, with their arrival, both party leaders and workers looked relaxed.
