By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 12: The United Democratic Party (UDP) on Sunday claimed it was unaware of any talks or discussions on projecting BJP leader and Cabinet Minister Sanbor Shullai as the common candidate of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) for the upcoming Lok Sabha bypoll from Shillong.
UDP general secretary and Leader of the Opposition in KHADC, Titosstarwell Chyne, stated that the party had no knowledge of any meeting or discussion on the matter and that he had only come across such reports in the media.
He conveyed surprise over the claims and maintained that, in his capacity as general secretary, he was not aware of any such development. He added that the party has not discussed the issue and therefore he was not in a position to comment further.
On whether the UDP would field its own candidate, Chyne said discussions have been held within the party, but no conclusion has been reached so far. He indicated that the party is still working on the matter.
The clarification comes amid increasing political activity ahead of the by-election to the vacant Shillong parliamentary seat, where the name of Shullai has been doing the rounds as a possible consensus candidate of the MDA.
Sources have indicated that leaders of MDA constituents, including the NPP, UDP and BJP, have been engaged in discussions, with reports suggesting a broad understanding may be emerging in favour of a joint candidate. However, no formal announcement has been made.
Incidentally, the ruling NPP has indicated that it will contest the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll alone, ruling out a pre-poll alliance with its coalition partner, the BJP.
If the NPP and the BJP go alone, the bypoll to the Shillong seat will turn into a multicornered contest, with the Congress likely to field Vincent H. Pala, while the VPP has already named Batskhem Myrboh as its candidate.
