By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Almost all the big guns of UDP have found place in the party’s first list candidates for the upcoming Assembly election due in 2013.
Former chief ministers J D Rymbai and Dr Donkupar Roy, who is also the State Planning Board chairman, topped the list of 26 candidates released by the party on Monday.
They will contest from Jiran in Ri-Bhoi district and Shella in East Khasi Hills district respectively.
Deputy Chief Minister BM Lanong (Shillong East), former Urban Affairs Minister Paul Lyngdoh (Shillong West) and Social Welfare Minister JA Lyngdoh (Mawphlang) also found place in the first list.
Interestingly, the list also features three women candidates — Roma Khymdeit (Nongpoh), Ibarilin Kharsati (Shillong North) and Banlari Khongwar (Pynursla).
Former KSU leader Hamlet Dohling has also been awarded with the party ticket to contest Mylliem.
Releasing the list, the party president Dr Donkupar Roy said the party would release the second list of candidates in June.
“The party’s State Election Committee has decided to offer tickets to the sitting legislators. If any sitting legislator decides not to contest then the same would be offered to other ticket aspirants,” he said adding that winnability of the candidate was the sole criterion for the allotment of tickets to the aspirants
When asked as to why the former KHNAM MDCs were not considered for the party tickets, UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh said the former KHNAM MDC James Ban Basaiawmoit did not seek ticket.
“We got the recommendation of only the name of Ibanrilin Kharsati from the Shillong North constituency committee,” Lyngdoh, who is the former KHNAM chief, said.