SHILLONG, SEPT 28: KHADC executive member (EM) and Independent MDC from Laban-Mawprem constituency Ricky Shullai today joined the United Democratic Party (UDP) from where he is preparing to contest the 2019 elections to the district councils.
Ricky, who was accompanied by supporters, was officially welcomed by the UDP chief Donkupar Roy at a meeting held in the presence of a host of party leaders and workers here on Friday.
Addressing on the occasion, Roy also announced that the party ticket will be issued to Ricky, whose joining he said is a boost to the UDP.
“Though it is not there in the constitution of the party, but we will go by the usual practice where preference (for allotment of party ticket) will be given to the sitting MDCs,” he assured the Laban-Mawprem MDC.
With the absence of the anti-defection law in the district councils, the UDP chief said, “I appeal to you (Ricky) to be committed to the party since we have experienced in the past that leaders change their mind after the elections.”
Earlier in his speech, Ricky said that his decision to join the UDP will once again revive the party in the constituency. He recalled that his uncle, Sanbor Shullai who is the BJP legislator from South Tura had won the MDC elections on a UDP ticket in 2004.
Ricky was elected as first time MDC in the KHADC bye-elections held in 2016 after Sanbor and six others resigned as members of district council due to fear of disqualification following the passing of anti-dual post Act by the state government.
He also resigned from Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and unsuccessfully contested the last Assembly elections from Mylliem constituency, while his uncle, a former NCP state president, retained his seat on a BJP ticket.
“I feel I am the luckiest one to get to contest the upcoming MDC elections from the UDP which is being led by veteran leaders who are really working for the interest of the state and I look forward for their guidance and blessings,” Ricky said.
According to him, the decision to join the UDP was based on the wish of the people of his constituency.
By Our Reporter
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