Denied ticket, aspirant to fight as independent

NONGSTOIN, Oct 30: Turning the tables, Boby Kharshandi, an HSPDP candidate, has decided to contest as an Independent from Nongstoin constituency.
Apparently, he was denied the party ticket too.
As many as 100 staunch supporters and members of different primary units of HSPDP attended the meeting at Rikhasi Free Morning School, New Nongstoin, on Saturday.
The supporters had come to extend their support to Kharshandi, even though he is contesting as an Independent.
Addressing the gathering, former president of the HSPDP Nongstoin, K Lyngdoh, said he was amazed to learn that Boby Kharshandi was not allotted the HSPDP ticket.
According to Lyngdoh, Kharshandi has revived all primary units of the party in Nongstoin Constituency.
The party ticket was allotted to Sanjied Kynsai Shangrit, who, he said, has no capacity to lead the party. Bobby Kharshandi is the grandson of the Syiem Khynnah of Hima Nongstoin, Wikliffe Syiem, and Niandro Syiem, Lyngdoh said.
Calling the party ticket immaterial, he extended his unconditional support to Kharshandi.
According to Lyngdoh, Boby Kharshandi was the only potential candidate on whom the people had reposed their faith to lead the party after (L) Hoping Stone Lyngdoh.
He termed the HSPDP’s move as ‘betrayal’.
Speaking at the event, Kharshandi said he had no intention to contest again after being denied the ticket but his supporters did not allow him to back out.
With the supporters having his back, he agreed where hundreds of HSPDP leaders abandon the party and extend their support for him as Independent candidate.
“Since 2019, I have worked tirelessly for the betterment of the people of Nongstoin. During the pandemic, I have helped hundreds of households which struggled financially. I have revived and formed more than 48 primary units of the HSPDP, yet all the members of the units have come to support me to join the fray as an independent. There is no question of backing down,” Boby said, while adding that more people will come to support him for bringing a change in Nongstoin Constituency.
He said that he has no intention to represent any political party and that he will remain an Independent candidate.
During the meeting, a committee was also formed with the former president of the HSPDP, K Lyngdoh, being elected as chairman, Samwel Marngar as secretary, Markos Marwein and Silvestar Ryntong as assistant secretaries, Cleverness Nongsiej as treasurer, besides other executive members.