Support to Paul Lyngdoh’s LS candidature
SHILLONG: The HSPDP and KHNAM have not yet been able to take any decision over the proposal of the UDP to support its working president Paul Lyngdoh’s candidature for the Shillong Lok Sabha seat. The two parties want more time to take a decision.
It was not proper to set deadlines on such issues as the matter must be deliberated in detail, HSPDP vice president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit told newsmen in the presence of KHNAM president Pyndapborthiaw Saibon here on Saturday. “We are not sure if the UDP has really given a deadline till Saturday for the two parties to give their response over Lyngdoh’s candidature. We were thinking that it was only the speculation in the media,” he said.
“We have already met to discuss on the proposal of the UDP. The two parties (KHNAM and HSPDP) would again meet to further deliberate on the matter. We hope to be able to respond to the UDP proposal within the next two days,” Basaiawmoit said while adding that the two parties understand the urgency of the matter.
When asked whether it was true if the two parties were against Lyngdoh’s candidature and are contemplating to request UDP to propose other names, the HSPDP leader denied that they arrived to such conclusion.
Inside sources said that the two parties are contemplating to suggest the UDP to nominate UDP working president Bindo Mathew Lanong as their party candidate if they want their support.
It has also been informed that KHNAM are ready to support Lyngdoh’s canditure if he agrees to contest under the banner of All Regional Parties Alliance (ARPA).
Meanwhile, he recalled that both KHNAM and HSPDP had earlier given a written assurance to People’s Candidate Forum (PCF) Rev PBM Basaiawmoit.
“I know it is difficult for the UDP to think of other candidate since they have already decided on Lyngdoh’s candidature. But even for the two parties it is not an easy decision to back track from their earlier commitment to support Rev Basaiawmoit,” the HSPDP leader said.
He however said that they would try to arrive at a decision which would be acceptable to all.
“I totally subscribe to the views of the UDP that we need to put a common candidate if we are going to defeat the Congress in the Shillong Parliamentary seats,” Basaiawmoit added.