By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The UDP Parliamentary Party will now decide the fate of Nongkrem legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, even as the party has already launched the search for an alternative to be fielded in 2013 Assembly elections.
Basaiawmoit had been asked to reply within a week whether he would contest the 2013 elections from Nongkrem on UDP ticket. The one-week deadline expired on November 16 and Basaiawmoit did not respond to the party leadership.
The UDP Parliamentary Party, headed by Dr Donkupar Roy, will meet on Wednesday to decide on the disciplinary action to be taken against the sitting legislator, informed UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh after a crucial meeting of the party on Monday
Rumours have been flying thick and fast that UDP firebrand leader, who had criticised the UDP leadership for issuing party ticket to one Dr Md Mizanur Rehman Kazi to contest from Rajabala constituency, is planning to quit the party to contest the upcoming Assembly elections from the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP).
“We are confident that we will retain Nongkrem seat in the coming elections,” Lyngdoh said
The meeting also decided to put up case of another party functionary from West Khasi Hills Julius Caesar Diengngan before the parliamentary committee for disciplinary action.
It may be mentioned that the two political protagonists-Diengngan and H. Brolding Nongsiej — have been fighting for supremacy to gain the UDP ticket from Mawthadraishan constituency to contest the Assembly polls.
During the meeting which lasted for over three hours, the party also discussed the party’s preparedness for the upcoming elections.
The party working president also informed that the final draft of the party’s manifesto for the election will be ready before the end of November.
The manifesto will be released by December this year, he added.