NONGPOH, Feb 7: In a boost to the United Democratic Party (UDP) ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections, leaders from Jirang constituency and an ex-police officer joined the party during a special executive meeting in Ri Bhoi on Monday.
Former police officer Ploster Syiem, and prominent leaders from Jirang constituency, viz. Witness Syngkli, Najim Kharmalki and Sransly Wahlang were the ones to join the UDP.
During the meeting, talks were held on measures to bolster the party for the 2022 elections. The meeting was also aimed at strengthening the party, through its different circles and units, at the grassroots level in all five constituencies of Ri Bhoi.
The meeting, which was attended by UDP leader and cabinet minister Kyrmen Shylla, UDP general secretary Dr Jemino Mawthoh, Ri Bhoi working president Donkupar Sumer, Ri Bhoi district president Donbok Khymdeit, among others, also declared Bathok Nongmalieh as the party’s candidate from Jirang constituency.
All is not well with UDP Ri Bhoi
Not everything is well with the UDP in Ri Bhoi. This was evinced during a special executive meeting of the party at Iewmawlong village on Monday, where few prominent leaders of the party chose to give the meeting a miss.
Sources informed that the leaders — UDP Ri Bhoi vice president Rayonald Kharkamni, UDP Ri Bhoi general secretary Lawrence Nongrum, and Ri-Bhoi president of UDP youth wing Sumarlang Swer — who did not attend Monday’s meeting are likely to join the National People’s Party (NPP) in the upcoming days.