SHILLONG: The demand for fielding a consensus candidate against Martin M Danggo got louder at a meeting held on Tuesday at the residence of UDP president Donkupar Roy.
Danggo is likely to contest the Ranikor by-election on NPP ticket.
Pius Marwein, who is being backed by UDP Ranikor, and PN Syiem, who wants to contest the by-poll, were present at the meeting that was attended by supporters of UDP, People’s Democratic Front and BJP.
UDP working president Bindo Lanong said most of the constituents were for a consensus candidate.
“We as a party will have to deliberate on the matter, if there is a need, and I do feel the need to call both candidates (Marwein and Syiem) and their supporters to make them understand about a consensus candidate,” Lanong said, adding that the party will work out a strategy.
Speaking about the prospects of Syiem, he said people realise it would be too late for him as Ranikor is a huge constituency.
“Many areas of the constituency will have to be covered on foot and whether a candidate will be able to cover the entire constituency or not,” he added.
Syiem said Tuesday’s meeting was for the supporters to air their views. “The meeting discussed on the negative and positive outcomes if Pius contests and also on the outcome if I do. The final decision rests with the UDP committee,” he added.
The party’s general secretary, Jemino Mawthoh, said the suggestions “will be analysed”.
Most of the people in Ranikor are opposed to Danggo’s “premature resignation” that not only affected them but would lead to wasteful expenditure, Lanong pointed out.
