SHILLONG: UDP legislator Remington Pyngrope has expressed unhappiness over the manner in which the seat adjustment was arrived at between his party and HSPDP.
Pyngrope, who represents Mawkynrew constituency, will have to contest against the HSPDP candidate unlike some constituencies represented by UDP legislators where HSPDP will not put up any candidates. “During the discussion on pre-poll alliance I had conveyed to party president Donkupar Roy to make my constituency free so that HSPDP will not put up any candidate,” Pyngrope said.
Criticising Roy for not hearing his plea to not put up any HSPDP candidate, the UDP legislator said the pre-poll alliance was aimed at benefiting only a few.
“I am a two-time legislator, but the party president did not bother to respect my request,” Pyngrope said.
When asked whether he will contest from any other party due to the humiliation, Pyngrope said, “I am still an UDP man, but I will let you know if there is any change of plan.”
However, another affected UDP legislator, Titosstarwell Chyne, representing Sohra constituency, said since HSPDP already had a candidate from Sohra, he had no other choice but to accept the arrangement.
Both Chyne and Pyngrope said UDP legislator Brodling Nongsiej does not have any problem even if HSPDP candidate contests the Mawthadraishan seat represented by Nongsiej.
From HSPDP sitting legislators, only Witting Mawsor was affected in the seat adjustment as he has to face a UDP candidate.
When contacted, Mawsor said, “The more the merrier. I am happy that more candidates will fight in the election which I hope will be advantageous to me.”