NONGSTOIN: MDC Mawthengkut F K Ryntathiang of the UDP formally announced his defection to the HSPDP at a grand function held at Mawthengkut on Saturday.
The announcement was made in the presence of the HSPDP West Khasi Hills District president K P Pangniang, HSPDP State general secy Enbin K Raswai, MLA Mawshynrut Witting Mawsor and hundreds of supporters.
Enbin K Raswai welcomed F K Ryntathiang and his 142 supporters to the party’s fold. He said Mawshynrut was an HSPDP stronghold and with F K Ryntathiang’s joining, the party was now even stronger.
He added that many people from other parties were eager to join HSPDP as the party favoured the rights and interests of the indigenous people of the state. “With F K Ryntathiang’s joining, we now have two prominent leaders of the UDP on our side, the other being Ardent Basaiawmoit.” Raswai also lauded the efforts of local MLA Witting Mawsor for uniting and strengthening the party in his constituency even after the elections.
F K Ryntathiang said, “I have left the UDP and joined the HSPDP so that together with local MLA, we can usher in a new hope for development in Mawshynrut area.” He added that UDP was one of the largest regional parties in Meghalaya and the manifestos of both the UDP and HSPDP were almost the same except for the HSPDP’s demand for s separate Khasi- Jaintia State.
He also said he along with his supporters had decided together to join the HSPDP on September 21 and that it was not a one man’s decision.
“Along with me UDP members from the parent body, women’s wing and youth wing have joined HSPDP today. However, this does not mean that the UDP no longer exists in Mawshynrut, the Mawshynrut Unit president Lovingwell Sangriang is still with the UDP along with his supporters,” Ryntathiang told the gathering. He added all the people present to co-operate with him and the MLA to bring development in Mawshynrut.
Later at the function, K P Pangniang, president of the West Khasi Hills District Unit HSPDP announced F K Ryntathiang as the party candidate for the 2014 KHADC election from 29- Mawthengkut AC.
