SHILLONG: The coordination committee of the MDA will take a call on the projected candidates for the Lok Sabha election based on acceptability and winnability.
The UDP and the HSPDP have fielded Jemino Mawthoh and Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, respectively, as their candidates for next year’s parliamentary election.
Mawthoh, who is also the general secretary of UDP, told reporters that in a coalition government, political parties have every right to name and project their candidate.
“But it will depend on the coordination committee where representatives of all the coalition partners are present to find out who is most acceptable; acceptability on the part of the people as well. The winnability factor is also there,” he said.
The NCP, which is an ally in the MDA, has asserted that the party will think of extending its support to the common candidate depending on his “quality”.
“If MDA puts up a common candidate seriously, we will think about it (supporting) and I cannot assure that we will just support any common candidate,” NCP state president Saleng Sangma said.
The NCP was also contemplating proposing its common candidate. Sangma said the matter has been taken up with the central leadership and the state unit is awaiting a direction from the party headquarters.
Meanwhile, Mawthoh recalled the 2014 Lok Sabha polls when he turned down offers by three parties — UDP, HSPDP and KHNAM — to field him as he was new to politics.
This time, the former MLA did not shy away from the race to Parliament and “the feelers I received” from various quarters encouraged him to take the plunge.
“There is a time for everything. This projection should not come from me but from the people. At this time, I believe much more than cash for vote, I believe in the goodwill of the people,” he said.
When asked about the UDP’s move to field a candidate for Tura seat, Mawhoh said, “We have to understand the grassroots politics. We have to take into consideration the feelings of the people at the grassroots level. Projection can be there but it is the state UDP that will take a final call on this.”
Vote for common symbol
NCP’s Sangma said on Monday the common candidate should have a common symbol to avoid misgivings among partners.
The idea of a common symbol was mooted by Independent MLA Lambor Malngiang and the matter will be discussed in the MDA meeting.
