SHILLONG, Nov 9: In the wake of National People’s Party (NPP) deciding not to field candidates from Mairang constituency out of respect for the sitting MLA and Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh, the latter on Wednesday observed that any political party is free to field candidates for the upcoming elections.
Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Metbah said, “I saw the statement of NPP state president WR Kharlukhi that they are not putting up a candidate out of respect for me for working together in the MDA coalition. But personally, I haven’t had any discussion with any of the NPP leaders on this.”
Stating that the NPP might have taken the decision with a clean intention, the Mairang MLA said, “Maybe now they have decided not to put up a candidate. But in the future they may change their decision.”
Earlier, NPP state president WR Kharlukhi had said that the party will not contest from the Mairang seat out of respect for the sitting MLA, who is also the Assembly Speaker. He had also made it clear that the NPP will not contest the South Shillong seat due to the unavailability of an NPP candidate in the constituency.
Meanwhile, Metbah also debunked the reports of him contesting from both Mairang and Mawphlang constituencies.
He said that the party has already started the process to identify the candidate for Mawphlang constituency after the sitting MLA
Eugeneson Lyngdoh decided not to contest the upcoming Assembly elections.
UDP to soon release first list of candidates
Meanwhile, Metbah also informed that the UDP will soon release the first list of candidates from around 40 constituencies for the upcoming elections.
Stating that the core committee of the party is scheduled to meet in the next few days in this regard, he said, “We have almost reached a consensus for the party candidate in around 40 constituencies. But a final decision will be taken by the State Election Committee (SEC).”
He said a majority of the sitting MLAs and MDCs will feature in the first list apart from the prominent names who have applied for the party tickets.
When asked about the party prospects in Garo Hills region, the UDP president said that they are currently focussing on bolstering the party organisations.
He also informed that there is a positive wave in Garo Hills as many leaders have expressed their willingness to join the UDP.