By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: UDP candidate from Nongthymmai, Jemino Mawthoh, on Monday said he has the support of the people to ensure his victory in the ensuing Assembly election.
Mawthoh has a tough fight on his hands as he is pitted against Assembly Speaker Charles Pyngrope, and indirectly fighting against Pynthorumkhrah legislator AL Hek and sitting Nongthymmai MDC Latiplang Kharkongor, both of whom are ‘backing’ the Assembly Speaker. Following the delimitation of constituencies, RR Colony, Rynjah, a Hek stronghold, which was previously under Pynthorumkhrah constituency, has now been tagged with Nongthymmai.
It is reported that Hek is convincing the residents of RR colony to vote in favour of the Assembly Speaker.
Mawthoh also faces a strong threat from the Nongthymmai MDC, who has been denied UDP ticket to contest the election.
Kharkongor, who was earlier with the KHNAM, joined the UDP along with Paul Lyngdoh.
“I am aware that Hek and Kharkongor are supporting Pyngrope. But I am confident that the people would help me win,” Mawthoh said while talking to reporters after filing his nomination papers here on Monday.
When asked if the non-tribals, who have traditionally supported the national parties, would be ready to vote in favour of a regional party like the UDP, Mawthoh said that the non-tribals were ‘fed up of the wrong policies of the Congress’ not only in the State but also in the Centre and that they were looking for a change.
On his priorities, Mawthoh said he would try to prepare a mapping of the whole constituency to address its various deficiencies.