UDP suffers major setback in Umsning

SHILLONG: In a major setback for the UDP’s Umsning circle, several senior leaders of the party in the constituency have resigned from their posts. The development assumes significance considering the fact that the State will go to polls in less than a year’s time.
Among the prominent leaders who quit their posts include UDP Umsning circle president G Nongrum, joint secretary OS Marngar, working president of the youth wing JR Nongrum, adviser of the circle J Mawlong, members of the women’s wing, N Lapang and T Mawlong, and others.
Besides the senior members of the party, members from the primary unit and the sub-circle have also decided to quit. The party leaders took the decision to relinquish their respective posts in a meeting held at Mawlein-Mawkhan on Wednesday. A large number of party supporters attended the meeting.
Oppose Donkupar Sumer as party candidate
Addressing the gathering at the meeting, UDP Umsning circle adviser J Mawlong expressed his displeasure over the party’s decision to allot ticket to Umsning sitting MDC Donkupar Sumer without consulting the primary units. According to Mawlong, as per party norms, the UDP leadership should have consulted the primary unit to recommend the names of the candidates which would have then been forwarded to the sub-circle and circle before being taken up with the State Election Committee for approval.
“The party has not followed the standard procedure. Top leaders took the decision to allot the ticket to Sumer without bothering to consult the party workers at the grassroots level,” the UDP Umsning circle adviser lamented.
However, UDP Umsning circle president, G Nongrum had stated that he has decided to quit due to personal reasons.
“I will submit my resignation to the party president today,” he said.It may be mentioned that party president Donkupar Roy and working president Paul Lyngdoh had announced the UDP’s decision to allot ticket to Donkupar Sumer on January 21.Following this announcement, a major discontentment has surfaces among the party leaders and workers of the UDP’s Umsning circle.The members who have quit from the post are from Mawsyntai sub circle, Umdihar sub circle, Kyrdemkulai sub circle, Mawlang-Mawtneng among others.