Who will be the UDP candidate from Nongthymmai?
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Is the UDP adopting double standards while allotting party tickets for the upcoming election?
On the one hand, the party is allotting tickets to their own sitting MDCs. But the party is hedging from the issue of allotting the ticket to the former Nongthymmai KHNAM MDC Latiplang Kharkongor who is now a UDP member. Kharkongor is still unsure of getting the ticket despite joining the UDP, following the merger of the two parties.
Among the sitting UDP MDCs who have been allotted the party ticket to contest the upcoming Assembly election are Embhah Syiemlieh (MDC from Mawlai constituency) and Titos Chyne (MDC from Sohra).
Sources said that Kharkongor is still being overlooked despite the clause in the merger agreement that due weightage, representation and importance would be given to leaders of KHNAM in allotment of party tickets for the 2013 Assembly election.
“All elected MLA and MDCs of KHNAM shall be given preference in the allotment of the party tickets for the said elections,” sources said on Thursday while quoting one of the clauses in the agreement of merger between UDP and KHNAM.
When contacted, the former KHNAM President who is presently the working president of the UDP, Paul Lyngdoh said although the merger agreement exists but every case would be decided after due consultation between the President, Dr Donkupar Roy, the other working president, BM Lanong and himself, taking into account the complexities arising in each constituency.
It may be mentioned that the UDP is yet to decide on its candidate for the 2013 legislative assembly election from Nongthymmai constituency. There are two contenders for the party ticket – Latiplang Kharkongor, former KHNAM member and sitting MDC and Dr Jemino Mawthoh who had earlier left the UDP and joined the NCP only to return to the fold.
It is learnt that while Paul Lyngdoh is in favour of allotting the party ticket to Latiplang Kharkongor, BM Lanong the other working president is in favour of Dr Jemino Mawthoh. This tug of war is delaying the decision of the UDP on Nongthymmai.
UDP workers of Nongthymmai constituency too are divided. While some have sided with Kharkongor who they claim is a grassroots worker, others are with Mawthoh. But while the UDP dithers, Congress candidate, Charles Pyngrope has made headway in the constituency, although he too is new to Nongthymmai.
Pyngrope represents Sohryngkham constituency but is shifting to Nongthymmai. He has, however, paved the way for his son David Nongrum to take his place from the newly delimited Mawryngkneng constituency.
For the voters of Nongthymmai who favour none of the prospective candidates it is a tough choice. People from various localities have been urging RG Lyngdoh, their former MLA to put up a fight but Lyngdoh, it is learnt, has rejected their pleas.
Date extended: Meanwhile, the UDP State Election Committee (SEC) has extended date for finalization candidates for Nongthymmai and Mawthadraishan Assembly constituencies by ten days.
“The party has taken this decision since the election committee is not satisfied with the report of the five-member sub-committee,” UDP working president and spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh informed after SEC meeting on Thursday.