SHILLONG, MAR 11: Despite the reservation of the Hills State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Party (KHNAM), the United Democratic Party (UDP)- its allies in the All Regional Parties Alliance (ARPA) in the KHADC- has decided to go ahead and field its working president Paul Lyngdoh as its candidate for the ensuing Shillong Lok Sabha elections.
The parliamentary elections to the two Lok Sabha seats in Meghalaya are slated for April 9.
The HSPDP and KHNAM had refused to accept the request of the UDP to support Lyngdoh as the common candidate and instead had given the option that if the UDP fielded either former deputy chief minister Bindo M Lanong or UDP Nongthymmai legislator Jemino Mawthoh it will support.
Lyngdoh is going battle his way through Congress nominee which is yet to be announced and PCF’s candidate Rev PBM Basaiawmoit.
After the meeting of the party on Tuesday evening, UDP president Donkupar Roy told reporters, “We have unanimously decided to field Lyngdoh as the official candidate of the party for the upcoming elections.”
Saying that the UDP respects the opinion of the HSPDP and KHNAM, Roy however said that it is not easy to back off from the party’s commitment to field Lyngdoh as the Lok Sabha candidate as it had already announced his candidature.
Anwering queries, Roy said the only reason they (HSPDP & KHNAM) did not want to support Lyngdoh was because of their apprehension that he has little chance of  winning.
Roy however said that as per the UDP’s assessment Lyngdoh is a winning horse and the party leaders have confidence and hopes in him to clinch the Shillong Lok Sabha seat.
Roy also felt that the UDP has more presence in all the constituencies in the state when compared to those of their ARPA coalition partners.
Tuesday meeting also resolved to continue to seek the supports of all regional political parties for Lyngdoh in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Roy said, “We would try to seek the support of all non-Congress political parties to ensure that victory of the party’s candidate.”.
While, the Purno Sangma led National People’s Party (NPP) has extended its support to the UDP for the Shillong seat, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is yet to take a decision.- By Our Reporter
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