Sticking with PDF: Chief

SHILLONG, Aug 13: Agriculture Minister and president of the People’s Democratic Front (PDF), Banteidor Lyngdoh said he and Sohra MLA Gavin Miguel Mylliem will contest the 2023 Assembly elections as PDF candidates.
He said he was not aware of the intention of the other MLAs of the party as they have not sent him a clear message.
“Our Sohra MLA and I will contest from the PDF,” he said.
The PDF chief also said the party is seeking candidates in 15-20 seats, mostly in East Khasi Hills district.
The PDF had won four seats in the 2018 state polls. The other two MLAs of the party are Hamletson Dohling and Jason Sawkmie Mawlong.
Rapsang not joining BJP
The state BJP has trashed reports that suspended Congress MLA from West Shillong Mohendro Rapsang may join the party.
“This is a ploy of the opposition to confuse the people as our state president, Ernest Mawrie is preparing to contest the seat, which he has good chances of winning,” state BJP vice president Dipayan Chakraborty said.
Unconfirmed reports said Rapsang is likely to join the saffron party. Attempts to contact him were unsuccessful.
The state BJP has been maintaining that talks are on with a few sitting and ex-MLAs to join the party.
Earlier, Mawrie claimed the BJP has an edge over its peers.
The West Shillong seat has a sizeable number of voters inclined towards the BJP, he said.
The party has never won from this seat. Prior to the BJP’s entry, Congress and the United Democratic Party had been fighting for the seat.