SHILLONG, Dec 31: The United Democratic Party (UDP) is facing challenges in finding a candidate to contest from the Mawlai constituency.
The party had hoped that former MLA Process T Sawkmie would represent them, but it appears that he has declined the offer.
UDP Shillong City president Paul Lyngdoh stated that the party is unlikely to field a candidate from Mawlai after Sawkmie decided to leave the party.
Reports suggest that Sawkmie plans to contest as an independent candidate in the upcoming election to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), scheduled for February 21.
Responding to queries, Lyngdoh confirmed that the UDP will be fielding candidates in six constituencies within Shillong city.
Speaking about the prospects of Auguster Jyrwa, the party’s candidate from the Jaiaw constituency and former general secretary of the KSU, Lyngdoh expressed optimism. He noted that internal conflicts within the VPP over ticket allocation could work in Jyrwa’s favor.
Lyngdoh further pointed out that the combined votes he and Jyrwa received during the 2019 MDC election amounted to approximately 70 per cent.
“If we can secure 70 per cent of the votes, we are confident of winning the Jaiaw seat,” Lyngdoh stated.
