SHILLONG: Rejecting the idea of putting up a common candidate for Ranikor by-poll, the UDP has decided to field its own candidate, Pius Marwein.
Senior UDP leader, Bindo M Lanong said on Monday that the party nominee is a tough candidate as he stood second in the Assembly polls held earlier this year.
He said the Ranikor by-poll will be a friendly match and either UDP or the NPP will win the seat.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that UDP will convey its decision to PN Syiem about the common candidate on Wednesday.
UDP leader, Jemino Mawthoh said the party had a meeting on the matter on July 10 and again the regional democratic alliance met on July 11 to discuss the matter.
Earlier, Marwein, who is being backed by UDP Ranikor unit, and Syiem, who wants to contest the by-poll, were present in the meeting convened by the UDP.
Party supports CM in South Tura
When asked about the South Tura by-poll where Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma will be contesting, he said Sangma must win the election for the government to continue its full term.
“If we don’t support Conrad Sangma, it will vitiate the whole gamut of working together in the MDA,” he said, while adding that as per the commitment, the leader of the government must be supported.
However, the party has not yet officially discussed the matter.
The UDP leaders in Garo Hills are keen to field a candidate against the chief minister.
“They have their own reasons and vision and we will visit Garo Hills to invite them to sort out the matter,” Mawthoh added.