SHILLONG, Dec 6: The United Democratic Party on Tuesday announced its first list of 32 candidates for the 2023 Assembly polls.
The list has the names of several prominent leaders, including Home Minister Lakhmen Rymbui who was rumoured to have harboured plans to join the National People’s Party.
The UDP has renominated party president and Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh and ministers Kyrmen Shylla and Brolding Nongsiej from the Mairang, Khliehriat and Mawthadraishan constituencies respectively. MLA Nujorki Sungoh has also been retained from the Mowkaiaw seat.
Moonlight Pariat’s name has been approved as the UDP candidate from Jowai while Mitchel Wankhar and H.D.R. Lyngdoh have been nominated from the Mylliem and Sohiong seats.
Wankhar quit the NPP earlier this year and Lyngdoh is a former Congress leader.
Among the other heavyweights named is Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council CEM Titosstarwell Chyne from Sohra.
Former DHS (MI), Aman War is the UDP candidate from North Shillong, Paul Lyngdoh from West Shillong and Jemino Mawthoh from Nongthymmai.
Of the 32 candidates named, eight are from the constituencies across the Garo Hills. They include Ashahel D. Shira from Rajabala. “We are keen on contesting from all the 60 seats. We are awaiting the survey reports from the remaining constituencies,” Metbah Lyngdoh said. “It is up to the people to decide now as we are trying to field the right candidates in the right constituencies,” he said, adding that the people seem to be favouring the UDP this time.
Metbah rejects speculation
The Mairang MLA and UDP president, Metbah Lyngdoh, on the other hand, rejected speculations that he is planning to contest the upcoming elections from two seats apart from Mairang.
Reacting to a query, Lyngdoh said that these speculations are fabricated.
Earlier while expressing confidence that the candidates will not jump ship as the party is nominating them after following due procedure, Metbah also downplayed the recent tiff between veteran leader Bindo M Lanong and the party.
“We are not neglecting anyone. We have full respect for everyone but at the end of the day, you have to work for the party,” Lyngdoh said.
Asked to comment on the TMC’s allegation against IAS officer Vijay Kumar D, a close aide of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, of misusing Rs 632-crore eco-tourism project, the UDP chief said he cannot come to a conclusion by only reading the newspapers.
He however maintained that whenever the party has felt the need, it has always raised issues.
He was also defiant with regard to anti-incumbency factor, as he asserted that the UDP is working as a team.