‘Ardent Basaiawmoit will win again in Nongkrem’
SHILLONG: The HSPDP Nongkrem Unit on Tuesday accepted UDP candidate-elect H.S. Shylla’s challenge to sit for a debate on five issues concerning the State.
Addressing a press conference here, HSPDP Nongkrem unit secretary Hubert Riang said, “We are prepared to sit for the debate at any time or day he (Shylla) deems fit.”
Stating that his party does not want to be involved in mudslinging, Riang claimed that it was Shylla who made first made allegations against Nongkrem MLA and party chief Ardent M. Basaiawmoit.
Reacting to Shylla’s allegation that Basaiawmoit had misused MLA schemes to buy votes, Riang said, “MLA scheme is for the benefit of the people. Ardent never distributed any scheme prior to any election.”
Claiming that Basaiawmoit is loved and respected by the people of Nongkrem constituency, Riang said, “Basaiawmoit has been elected twice and the people of Nongkrem will do the same in the next election as he maintains a good rapport with the people of his constituency.”
Meanwhile, commenting on the HSPDP’s decision not to go for any pre-poll alliance, Riang said, “We are hopeful that the 2018 elections will be a blessing for the State if we win by a single majority.”
Criticizing Shylla’s sudden reappearance in state politics, the HSPDP functionary recalled that Shylla had earlier stated that he was done with politics.
Riang recollected an incident from 2008 and claimed that Shylla had distributed livestock (pigs) to local residents of Mawpynthih village but after losing the election he was so dismayed that he took back the livestock from the residents.