5 MLAs keen to join UDP: Metbah

Addressing media persons on Thursday, UDP chief and Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh said the state election committee of the party will be constituted within a week or two.

“The SEC will go as per the process because we have to finalize some of the candidates which we already have in mind and which have been in consultation with senior leaders of the party from a few constituencies,” he said.

“As of now, four-five MLAs have shown their keen interest to join the party. All of them are in the stage of finalization because due process has to be followed and see how we move ahead. Their names will be revealed (at an appropriate time),” he added.

According to him, if everything goes well, the party will contest from all the 60 seats.

On issue related to Nongkrem constituency where UDP chief adviser Bindo M Lanong and sitting MLA Lambor Malngiang are fighting for party ticket, Lyngdoh however said because of the just concluded session, they could not sit down but “this is an internal matter, we will sort it out.”

When asked, the UDP chief said, “I don’t know why you call UDP an alternative. UDP existed all these years it is not a new party, UDP has been there for many years and we would like to see that this time we offer as a party to the people of the state.”

He claimed that the party is getting a positive response from the people across the state.

Meanwhile, Lyngdoh maintained that the UDP has always raised its voice on critical issues concerning the people and the state, despite being a key ally of the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government.

“If you recall, we already raised our voice (on many issues) though we are part of the government and we already assured that we will be there for the entire five years. We will not be the reason for the instability of the government because if instability is being created, you will see that the progress and development in the state is not going to take place but will hamper very badly and at the end of the day people of the state will suffer,” he said.

“So we believe and we have acted and we have raised our voice also that whatever issues we felt concerned for the people of the state, we will raise our voice though we are part and parcel of the government. I am pleased to see that the government also responded to that and they don’t have a problem so we are working together,” the UDP leader stated.

Meanwhile, Lyngdoh informed that the party office is likely to be completed in April –May.

By Our Reporter