MAWKYRWAT/ SHILLONG: United Democratic Party (UDP) Ranikor circle is confident of winning the Ranikor by-poll as the BJP’s Ranikor unit leaders and almost all the supporters of former NPP candidate, Donkupar Massar have decided to rally behind its candidate, Pius Marwein.
UDP Ranikor circle president, G.G Bung Snaitang, on Monday confirmed that BJP leader and former candidate in the 2018 Assembly election from Ranikor constituency, Pelcy Snaitang will support UDP in the upcoming by-election.
“Pelcy has met the UDP leaders in Shillong and assured support to the party in the upcoming bye-election,” the UDP leader said, adding that “BJP at the Centre and the state might lend support to NPP, but the BJP leaders in Ranikor do not like NPP candidate, MM Danggo.
Snaitang also informed that the UDP will hold a public meeting on July 18 at Nongnah village in the constituency to welcome the leaders of the NPP who have decided to leave the party after the NPP Ranikor block committee was dissolved to pave way for the Congress leaders and supporters of Danggo to join the party.
He also informed that Pelcy had instructed all the party leaders and workers from all over the constituency to come to the meeting.
“I don’t know whether they will join the UDP or not, but their message is very clear that they will support us in the election because they want to defeat Danggo,” Snaitang said.
Snaitang also informed that many leaders of NPP from other areas have also joined the party to support Marwein in the bypoll.
“On July 14 we welcomed 48 leaders of NPP from Phlangdiloin- Phlangmawprah area in the meeting at Phlangdiloin village,” Snaitang said, adding that 80 per cent of the NPP supporters from the area have joined UDP. “The NPP leaders have contacted all their units both in the upland as well as in the border areas to join UDP and the leaders would be welcome at the meeting at Nongnah on July 18,” Snaitang said.
“UDP is 100 per cent sure that this time they are going to win the election at Ranikor,” he said.
Speaking about former KHADC chief executive member, P.N. Syiem who projected himself as the common candidate for the Ranikor bypoll, Snaitang said, “It is not easy to prepare for the elections in two months time in a constituency with 170 villages. He will reach nowhere”.
BJP undecided
As far as South Tura is concerned, BJP Minister AL Hek said on Monday that the party’s state executive committee will meet shortly to take a call on the matter.
He also said the letter from the NPP seeking support for Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, who will be contesting South Tura seat on NPP ticket, will be examined by the party.
However, state BJP president Shibun Lyngdoh said the central leaders are yet to communicate to the state leaders on whether to contest the by-polls or not.
According to Lyngdoh, the South West Khasi Hills unit of the party wanted to contest the by-poll and the matter was referred to the Central leaders, but their reply is awaited.
Regarding South Tura, Lyngdoh said the matter will be discussed by the party.
